Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. Which means you will probably do a great deal of research ahead of time. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) This level of research is logical! For most individuals who aren’t wealthy, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. What style of vehicle do you like? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How much power do you want to feel when you press down that gas pedal?

So you need to take a close look at all of your options and make some informed choices in order to get the most from your investment. And that’s the same mindset you should take when choosing your hearing aids. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. Figuring out which device will fit your lifestyle best and which device works best in general, is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

Hearing aid benefits

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

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the benefits are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs over dinner with your grandchildren, and enjoying conversations with friends.

It’s only natural 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!

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some individuals may assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the highest-priced device.

And, to be sure, hearing aids are an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids are costly in the first place:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for quite a while. If you take good care of them this is particularly true.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. There are lots of variables to think about (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But that isn’t always determined by how expensive the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will require regular maintenance in order to continue working effectively. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be calibrated to your right needs.

Make sure you get the correct hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have several different styles and kinds to select from. We can help you figure out which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. Here are the solutions 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 deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the best choice. The only difficulty is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most sophisticated features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. They will often contain more high-tech features being slightly larger than CIC models. Some of these features can be somewhat tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still rather small). Still, ITC models are great for individuals who require more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to sit completely in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits totally inside your ear. If you have complex hearing issues or need more powerful noise control, the more advanced technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great 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 little tube that connects the two parts is still pretty discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification choices. These kinds are a great compromise between power and visibility.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this model, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. They have the benefit of minimizing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them a good fit for individuals 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 everybody.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work fine in a basic sense. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you require if your hearing loss is more advanced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

Regardless of what kind of hearing aid you decide to invest in, it’s always a good plan to talk to us about what will work best for your particular needs.

Repair and maintenance

After you decide on the ideal hearing aid for your hearing requirements, taking care of it is essential. Just like your car requires oil changes now and again.

So how often will your hearing aids need to be checked? Generally, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you an opportunity to be certain that everything is working effectively and as it should!

It’s also a good idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some money! A good warranty and regular maintenance 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 key is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some families will go with a minivan, others for an SUV. The same is true for hearing aids, it all depends on your specific situation.

But the more you understand beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment