How to Get The Most From Your Hearing Aids

If you aren’t very wealthy, a car isn’t really an impulse buy. So a great deal of research is most likely 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.) This level of research makes sense! For most individuals who aren’t rich, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific type of vehicle you really like? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How fast do you want your car to be?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you have to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are 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 out of your investment.

Hearing aid benefits

In just the same way that you can talk about the benefits of a car in very general terms, you can also discuss the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly general way. Hearing aids are pretty great!

Yes, they help your hearing, but for most people, the advantages are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can remain involved with the people in your life. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations during dinner, listen to your grandkids tell you about cool dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

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

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

There might be some individuals out there who would assume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to simply purchase the most high priced device possible.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny and very advanced. So the package you’re purchasing is very technologically potent.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. Especially if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. How severe your hearing loss is and, of course, your budget are a couple of the factors to consider. Some hearing aids will undoubtedly last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

As with any other purchase, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will have to be calibrated to your exact requirements.

Get the proper hearing aids for your hearing loss

So, what are your choices? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different styles and types. You can work with us to figure out which ones are the right choice for you and your hearing goals. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to select 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 best choice. But with this kind 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 specifically molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech features. Some of these features 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 advanced features, this type will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit entirely in 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 a great option.
• 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 hearing aids are popular because they provide many amplification solutions. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the perfect option.
• 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 similar to BTE models. They have the benefit of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re hearing the device. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It isn’t a good choice for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to consider. 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 pronounced or complex. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically tuned to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

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

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you should take care of it. Just like your car requires oil changes now and then.

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

It’s also a good idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash 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’s no single best hearing aid. Every hearing specialist might have a different model that they think is the best.

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 best, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

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. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!