How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. Which means you will most likely do a ton of research first. You take 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 amount of research. You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to make certain your investment is well spent.

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 enjoy? Do you need a lot of space to carry things around? How much pep do you need to feel when you press down that gas pedal?

In other words, to get the most from 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 attitude. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. And getting the most out of your investment means determining which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

The example of the benefits of purchasing hearing aids can be broadly compared with the example of buying a car. Hearing aids are a wonderful investment!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than merely helping you hear. Staying involved with your friends and family will be a lot easier with a good pair of hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs at the dinner table with your grandchildren, and enjoying conversations with friends.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as possible given all of the benefits. You want to keep those benefits coming!

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

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

And, to be sure, hearing aids can be an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids tend to be expensive:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very state-of-the-art technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. That means you’re paying for a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. If you take good care of them this is especially true.

But the most expensive model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are lots of variables to think about (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Some hearing aids will definitely last longer than others. But that isn’t always dictated by how expensive the device was in the first place.

In order to keep your hearing aids in tip-top working condition, as with any other investment, they will require regular care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be calibrated to your right requirements.

Get the proper hearing aids for your hearing loss

What options do you have? You’ll be able to choose from several different styles and types. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing needs. Here are the options you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be hidden and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan is usually shorter. The small size also means you won’t get some of the most modern features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. They will typically have more high-tech functions being slightly larger than CIC models. Some of these features can be somewhat tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also have some sophisticated features, this style will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely in your outer ear. Two types are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which fits 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 sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part goes behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The two parts are connected by a small tube, but for the most part, it’s pretty non-visible. These devices are popular because they offer many amplification choices. These types are a great compromise between visibility and power.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part fits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of reducing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good option for everyone.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work fine in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss warrants a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall a bit short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you choose to buy, it’s always a smart plan to consult us about what might work best for your particular requirements.

Maintenance and repair

After you choose the best hearing aid for your hearing requirements, taking care of it is essential. This is, again, like a car which also needs upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? In general, you should schedule a routine upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. By doing this you can be sure everything is in good working condition.

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 maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There isn’t a single best all-time hearing aid. If you go to twelve different hearing specialists and request the “best” hearing aid, they may provide you with twelve different models.

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some individuals will go with a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But the more you know beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!