A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really rich). Which means you will most likely do a great deal of research first. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. (You’re on Google a lot.) It is sensible to do this level of research. For most individuals 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 certain 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. What style of vehicle do you want? How much room do you need for weekly supplies? How fast do you want your car to be?

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

The advantages of hearing aids

In just 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 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 remain connected to the people in your life. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a story about dinosaurs over dinner with your grandkids, and enjoying conversations with friends.

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

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 simply purchase the most high priced device they can.

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

• Hearing aids are designed to include very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is particularly relevant.

But the most expensive model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of factors to consider (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Some hearing aids will certainly last longer than others. But that isn’t always determined by how costly the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will require regular maintenance in order to keep working effectively. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will need to be tuned to your exact requirements.

Be sure you get the best hearing aids for you

So, what are your choices? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to pick from. You can work with us to figure out which ones are the right choice 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 discrete and also provide 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. And some of the most modern functions are typically missing because of their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. They will typically include more high-tech features being a bit bigger than CIC models. These devices are still rather small and some of the features can be a little hard to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced features, this type will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits in your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits completely inside 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 choice.
• 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 small tube that connects the two parts is still pretty discrete. These hearing aids provide many amplification choices making them quite popular. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the best choice.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): With this model, the speaker part fits in the ear canal but they are otherwise a lot like BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the additional benefit of reducing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re wearing the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have trouble hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really an issue, these hearing aids will be a good fit for you. It isn’t a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work fine in a general sense. 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 fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs which is an option generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

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

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. This is, again, like a car which also needs upkeep.

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. This gives you an opportunity to make sure that everything is working properly and as it should!

It’s also a good idea to be somewhat familiar with your device’s warranty. If and when you need repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some money! A strong warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There isn’t a single greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they might provide you with a dozen different models.

The secret is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some people will go for a minivan, others for an SUV. The same is true for hearing aids, it all depends on your specific situation.

But you will have an easier time finding the hearing aid that’s best for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!

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References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/in-depth/hearing-aids/art-20044116