How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. So a great deal of research is probably the first step you take. You look at reviews, you compare prices, and you evaluate gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) This amount of research makes sense! For most people who aren’t wealthy, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

Not only do you look at the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you require a lot of space to carry supplies around? How fast do you want your car to be?

So you should have a close look at all of your options and make some informed choices in order to get the most out of your investment. And that’s the same attitude you should take when choosing your hearing aids. They’re still an investment although they cost much less than a new car. Figuring out which device will best fit your lifestyle and which device works best in general, is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

The benefits of hearing aids

In just the same way that you can talk about the benefits of a car in a very general way, you can also discuss the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly broad way. Hearing aids are pretty great!

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most people, the advantages are more tangible than that. Staying involved with your family and friends will be much easier with a good pair of hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a tale about dinosaurs at the dinner table with your grandchildren, and enjoying conversations with friends.

With all these benefits, it seems sensible that you’d begin to ask, “How can I help my hearing aids last longer?” You don’t want those benefits to go away.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some people might think that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

Hearing aids are certainly an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids are expensive in the first place:

• Hearing aids are made to include very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re paying for a very potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is especially relevant.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. How profound your hearing loss is and, of course, your budget are a couple of the variables to think about. Some hearing aids will undoubtedly last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

As with any other purchase, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your specific needs.

Make sure you get the best hearing aids for you

What options do you have? You’ll be able to pick from several different styles and types. You can work with us to figure out which ones are the right choice for you and your hearing goals. Here are the options you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (great for people who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is often shorter. And some of the most modern features tend to be missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. They will often have more high-tech features being a little larger than CIC models. These devices are still fairly small and some of the functions can be a bit tricky to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are ideal for individuals who require more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These hearing aids are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). If you have complex hearing problems or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids the perfect choice.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The small tube that connects the two parts is still fairly discrete. These hearing aids offer many amplification solutions making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the perfect option.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit fits in the ear canal. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have difficulty hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really a problem, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss calls for a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall a bit short. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically tuned to your hearing in the same way that prescription hearing aids can.

No matter what type of hearing aid you choose to invest in, it’s always a good plan to consult us about what will work best for your specific needs.

Repair and upkeep

After you decide on the ideal hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. This is, again, like a car which also needs maintenance.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working condition.

It’s also a good idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. So now you’re wondering: how can I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good upkeep and a great warranty.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There is no single greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they might provide you with twelve different models.

The secret is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be best, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But the more you understand ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!