How to Get The Most Out of Your Hearing Aids

A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re very, very rich). Which means you will probably do a lot of research ahead of time. You take a good look at things like gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It is sensible to do this level of research. For most people who aren’t wealthy, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to spend. So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

Not only do you consider the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a specific type of vehicle you really like? How much room do you require for weekly groceries? How fast do you want your car to be?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you need to examine your options and make some choices. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They may not cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still 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.

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 pretty great!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the advantages 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 grandkids tell you about cool dinosaurs, and converse with the checkout clerk at the supermarket.

With all these benefits, it makes sense that you’d start to ask, “How can I help my hearing aids last longer?” You don’t want those benefits to go away.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

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

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

• Hearing aids are made to include very state-of-the-art technologies, and they need to make those technologies as small as possible. So the package you’re purchasing is very technologically potent.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Especially if you take care of them.

But the most expensive model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. How profound your hearing loss is and, of course, your budget are a couple of the variables to consider. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Sure! But the price of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good working order, as with any other investment, they will need routine care and maintenance. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be calibrated to your ears and adjusted for your unique level of hearing loss.

Get the correct hearing aids for your hearing loss

So, what are your choices? 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 goals. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also provide high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. The only difficulty is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. The small size also means you won’t get some of the most modern functions.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. They will often have more high-tech features being a little larger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be a bit tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still quite small). Even still, ITC models are ideal for people 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 device sits inside your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version fits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits completely in your ear. If you have complex hearing issues or need more powerful noise control, the more advanced technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids the perfect option.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part goes behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The little tube that connects the two parts is still fairly discrete. These hearing aids provide many amplification solutions making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best solution.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this design, the speaker part sits in the ear canal but they are otherwise similar to BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of decreasing things like wind noise.
• 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 are not really a problem, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another option to think about. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work okay in a basic way. But it’s likely that OTC hearing aids won’t have the power you require if your hearing loss is more pronounced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

Regardless of what type of hearing aid you choose to invest in, it’s always a good plan to talk to us about what might work best for your particular needs.

Upkeep and repair

Obviously, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to select your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. This is, once again, like a car which also requires maintenance.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be checked? Generally, you should schedule a regular 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 order.

You should also get familiar with your warranty. You will save some cash when you are familiar with what is and isn’t covered. A strong warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

So… what’s the best hearing aid?

There is no single best all-time hearing aid. Every hearing specialist may have a different model that they feel is the best.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss requirements 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 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 ideal for you. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!