How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re really wealthy). Which means you will probably do a lot of research first. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. It makes sense to do this amount of research. You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

Not only do you look at 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 like? Do you require a lot of room to carry things around? How much power do you need to feel when you press down that accelerator?

Put another way, to get the most from your new car, you have to examine your options and make some decisions. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same mindset. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are an investment. Determining which device will best fit your lifestyle and which device works best overall, is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

Hearing aid advantages

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 broad way. Hearing aids are a wonderful investment!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the benefits are more tangible than that. 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 grandkids, 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 don’t want those benefits to go away.

Do more expensive hearing aids work better?

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 expensive in the first place:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very sophisticated technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for quite a while. Particularly if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. There are lots of factors 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 the price of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working order, as with any other investment, they will call for routine care and maintenance. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be programmed to your right needs.

Get the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss

What choices do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and types to choose from. You can work with us to determine which ones are ideal for you and your hearing needs. Here are the options you will have to choose 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 ideal choice. The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. And some of the most sophisticated functions are typically missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly hidden because they are molded to fit your ear canal. They will typically contain more high-tech functions being slightly larger than CIC models. These devices are still pretty small and some of the features can be a bit hard to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced features, this type will be ideal.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit completely in your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits totally in your ear. These devices are more visible but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them an excellent option for noise control or complex hearing conditions.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The small tube that connects the two elements is still fairly discrete. These devices are popular because they provide many amplification solutions. These kinds 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 advantage of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good choice for everybody.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The difficulty is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a general sense. 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 available with OTC hearing aids.

Regardless of what type of hearing aid you decide to purchase, it’s always a good idea to consult us about what will work best for your particular needs.

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve taken all of the steps to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. Just like your car requires oil changes now and again.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? In general, you should schedule a regular upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to be sure that everything is working effectively and as it should!

It’s also not a bad idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some money when you are familiar with 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 might provide you with twelve different models.

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some people will go with a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same is true for hearing aids, it just depends on your 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. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

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