Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re really wealthy). So a lot of research is probably the first step you take. You take a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) This level of research is logical! 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 certain your investment is well spent.

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also give thought to best fits for your lifestyle. What type of vehicle do you enjoy? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? 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 assess your options and make some decisions. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, overall, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

The benefits of hearing aids

The example of the benefits of buying hearing aids can be broadly compared with the example of purchasing a car. Hearing aids are a great investment!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can stay connected to the people in your life. You’ll be able to better follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

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 people might assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really tiny and very advanced. So the package you’re purchasing is extremely technologically potent.
• Hearing aids are also designed 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 a lot of variables to consider (including the degree 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 dictated by how expensive the device was in the first place.

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

Make sure you get the right hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to pick from. You can work with us to determine which ones are best for you and your hearing goals. 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 hidden and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan is usually shorter. The small size also means you won’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 discrete. They will often contain more high-tech features being slightly bigger than CIC models. These devices are still fairly small and some of the features can be a bit tricky to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated functions, this style will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style 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). If you have complex hearing issues or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids the perfect option.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part goes 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 provide many amplification choices making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the perfect solution.
• 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. They have the benefit of minimizing wind noise and are generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them suitable for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have difficulty with high-frequency sounds). It isn’t a good choice for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

Pros and Cons of 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 sort of like OTC medications, they work okay in a general way. But if your hearing loss calls for a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall a bit short. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your specific hearing needs which is an option generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you decide to buy, it’s always a good plan to talk to us about what might work best for your specific requirements.

Upkeep and repair

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 then.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a routine upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working condition.

You should also get familiar with your warranty. If and when you need repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some cash! A strong 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 think is the best.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss needs will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be best, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed beforehand. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!