How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a lot of research is most likely the first thing you do. You check out reviews, you assess prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) It makes sense to do this amount of research. For most individuals who aren’t rich, it will take a while 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 suits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. What type of vehicle do you want? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How much pep do you want to feel when you press down that accelerator?

Put another way, to get the most from your new car, you need 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 won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. Determining which device will fit your lifestyle best and which device works best in general, is the best way to get the most from your investment.

Hearing aid advantages

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 great!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than just helping you hear. Staying involved with your family and friends 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.

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

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

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

And, to be certain, hearing aids can be an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids might be costly:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really tiny and very sophisticated. That means you’re getting a very potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Especially if you take care of them.

But the most expensive model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of factors to consider (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Some hearing aids will undoubtedly 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 good working order, as with any other purchase, they will require routine care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your right needs.

Make certain you get the correct hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have a number of different styles and types to pick from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be ideal for your hearing needs. Here are the choices you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. But with this type of hearing aid, battery life, and overall longevity is usually shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most sophisticated functions.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. They will often include more high-tech functions being slightly bigger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be somewhat tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still fairly small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated functions, this type will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits inside your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits completely in 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 option.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The little tube that connects the two elements is still pretty discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification choices. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best choice.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this design, the speaker part fits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the additional benefit of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• 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 problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really an issue, these hearing aids will be a good fit for you. It’s not a good choice for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep inundating you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to think about. OTC hearing aids work okay 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 somewhat short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically programmed to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

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

Upkeep and repair

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also needs upkeep.

So how often will your hearing aids need to be checked? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. This gives you a chance to make sure that everything is working properly and as it should!

You should also get familiar with your warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some cash! A good warranty and regular maintenance will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

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

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Some families will go for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same goes for hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

But you will have an easier time finding the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Schedule a hearing test with us today!

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