How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really wealthy). So a lot of research is probably the first step you take. You look at reviews, you assess prices, and you consider gas mileage. Google is your best friend these days. This amount of research is logical! You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular style of vehicle you really enjoy? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How much pep do you need to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

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

The advantages 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!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than merely helping you hear. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll be able to better follow conversations during dinner, listen to your grandkids tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the checkout clerk at the grocery store.

With all these benefits, it seems sensible that you’d begin to ask, “How can I make my hearing aids last longer?” You want to keep those benefits going!

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

Some people may think 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. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids might be costly:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny and very sophisticated. That means you’re getting a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. Especially if you take care of them.

But the most costly model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. There are lots of variables to think about (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Sure! But that isn’t always determined by how costly 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. What’s more, your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your ears and adjusted for your distinct level of hearing loss.

Make certain you get the best hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and types to choose from. You can work with us to figure out which ones are best for you and your hearing needs. Here are the solutions 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 (perfect for people who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this type of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan is often shorter. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most modern features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they might contain more high-tech functions. Some of these functions can be a bit tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still quite small). Still, ITC models are great for individuals who require more features but still want to remain 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 fits in the lower ear). These hearing aids are more visible but can contain sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This type of hearing aid has one bit that fits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but moves all of the bulky electronics to a housing that goes behind your ear. The little tube that connects the two elements is still fairly discrete. These hearing aids offer many amplification choices making them quite popular. These types are a good compromise between visibility and power.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part sits in the ear canal. 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 a good fit for people who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

What 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 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 an option generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

Regardless of what kind of hearing aid you decide to buy, it’s always a smart plan to speak with us about what might work best for your particular requirements.

Repair and maintenance

After you choose the best hearing aid for your hearing requirements, taking care of it is crucial. Just like your car needs oil changes now and then.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to be certain that everything is working effectively and as it should!

You should also become familiar with your warranty. You will save some money when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. A strong 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 greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and request the “best” hearing aid, they might provide you with a dozen different models.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Some people will go for a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

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. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!