How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re very, very wealthy). So a great deal of research is probably the first thing you do. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It is sensible to do this level of research. You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

Not only do you look at the objective factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. What style of vehicle do you like? How much room do you need for weekly supplies? How much pep do you want to feel when you press down that gas pedal?

So you should have a close look at all of your possibilities and make some informed decisions in order to get the most out of your investment. And that’s the same attitude you should take when selecting your hearing aids. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. And getting the most out of your investment means determining which devices work best, overall, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

The advantages of hearing aids

In exactly 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 general way. Hearing aids are a great investment!

Yes, they help you hear, 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 more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandkids tell you about cool dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the checkout clerk at the grocery store.

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

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

There might be some individuals out there who would presume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just buy the most expensive device they can.

Hearing aids are certainly an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids can be costly:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really tiny and very state-of-the-art. So the package you’re purchasing is very technologically potent.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is especially true.

But the most costly model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of variables to think about (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working condition, as with any other purchase, they will call for routine care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be calibrated to your specific requirements.

Make sure you get the right hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? You’ll be able to choose from numerous different styles and types. You can work with us to figure out which ones are best for you and your hearing needs. Here are the choices you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are usually very discrete (perfect for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated functions tend to be missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. They will typically contain more high-tech functions being slightly bigger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be a little 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 ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to sit entirely inside your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). These devices are more exposed but can include sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• 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 two parts are connected by a small tube, but for the most part, it’s pretty non-visible. These hearing aids are popular because they provide many amplification options. These kinds are a great compromise between power and visibility.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit fits in the ear canal. They have the benefit of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have difficulty hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really a problem, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. It’s not a good option for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. 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 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.

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

Upkeep and repair

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

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. This gives you an opportunity to make sure everything’s working effectively and as it should!

You should also become familiar with your 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’s no single best 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. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. The same goes with hearing aids, it all depends on your situation.

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. Call us to schedule a consultation today!

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