How to Get The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t really rich, a car really isn’t an impulse purchase. So a lot of research is probably the first thing you do. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It makes sense to do this level of research. For most people who aren’t rich, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really like? Do you need a lot of space to carry supplies around? How much pep do you need to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

In other words, to get the most out of your new car, you have to examine your options and make some choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same mindset. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

The benefits of hearing aids

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

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most individuals, the advantages are more tangible than that. Staying connected with your family and friends will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to better follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and converse with the checkout clerk at the supermarket.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as you can given all of the benefits. You don’t want those benefits to stop.

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

There might be some people out there who would assume that the most effective way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just buy the most high priced device they can.

Hearing aids are definitely an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids tend to be expensive:

• Hearing aids are designed to include very advanced technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. So the package you’re purchasing is very technologically potent.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Especially if you take care of them.

But the most expensive model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. How profound your hearing loss is and, obviously, what you can afford are a couple of the variables to think about. Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working condition, as with any other purchase, they will need routine care and maintenance. What’s more, your hearing aids will need to be calibrated to your ears and adjusted for your distinct level of hearing loss.

Make certain you get the correct hearing aids for you

What options do you have? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different types and styles. We can help you figure out which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing needs. But generally, here’s what you’ll have to select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are usually very discrete (great for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only trouble is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. And some of the most state-of-the-art features are typically missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to fit your ear canal. They will typically have more high-tech features being a bit larger than CIC models. These devices are still pretty small and some of the features can be a little difficult 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: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit entirely inside your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits totally inside your ear. These hearing aids are more exposed but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This style of device has one part that fits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but transfers all of the bulky electronics to a casing that goes behind your ear. The pieces are connected by a little tube, but for the most part, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids offer many amplification choices making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best solution.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this design, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise similar to BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the additional benefit of decreasing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them suitable for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another option to think about. OTC hearing aids work fine in general, much like OTC medications. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you need if your hearing loss is more advanced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

The best way to find out what kind of hearing aid will be best for you, you should talk with us.

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve taken all of the steps to select your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. Just like your car requires oil changes once in a while.

So how often will your hearing aids need to be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a regular upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to make sure that everything is working properly and as it should!

It’s also not a bad idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. A good warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what is the best hearing aid?

There’s no single best hearing aid. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they feel is the best.

The secret is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some people will go for a minivan, others for an SUV. The same goes for hearing aids, it all depends on your specific situation.

But you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Call us to schedule a consultation today!