A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re really rich). So a lot of research is most likely the first thing you do. You have a good look at things like gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend these days. This amount of research makes sense! You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific style of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you need a lot of space to carry supplies around? How fast do you want your car to be?

So you should take a close look at all of your options and make some informed decisions in order to get the most out of your purchase. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same mindset. They’re still an investment even though they cost much less than a new car. And getting the most out of your investment means figuring out which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

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 broad way. Hearing aids are pretty great!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than just helping you hear. Staying connected with your friends and family will be much easier with a good pair of hearing aids. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations during dinner, listen to your grandkids tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the cashier at the supermarket.

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

Are higher quality hearing aids always more costly?

Some individuals may assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the highest-priced device.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very small and very sophisticated. That means you’re purchasing a very potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is particularly true.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will automatically work best. How profound your hearing loss is and, obviously, your budget are a couple of the factors to think about. Some hearing aids will definitely 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 effectively. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your ears and adjusted for your unique level of hearing loss.

Get the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss

What options do you have? You’ll be able to choose from several different styles and types. You can work with us to determine which ones are ideal for you and your hearing goals. Here are the options you will have to pick 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. But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan tends to be 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 slightly bigger than CIC models. Some of these functions can be a bit tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still quite small). Still, ITC models are great for people who require more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the device sits in your ear canal, it all sits in your outer ear. A “half shell” version sits in your lower ear and a “full shell” version fits entirely in your ear. These devices are more exposed but can include advanced and powerful microphones, making them an excellent option for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a way, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This type of device has one bit that sits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but moves all of the bulky electronics to a housing that goes behind your ear. The little tube that connects the two parts is still rather discrete. These hearing aids offer many amplification choices making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the best option.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker bit fits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the added advantage 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. This makes them suitable for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have trouble with high-frequency sounds). Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. 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. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs which is an option generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

No matter what type of hearing aid you decide to purchase, it’s always a good idea to consult us about what might work best for your specific needs.

Upkeep and repair

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

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? In general, you should schedule a routine maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to make sure that everything is working properly and as it should!

It’s also not a bad idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of what is and isn’t covered. So now you’re wondering: how do I make my hearing aids last longer? The answer is usually simple: good upkeep and a great warranty.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There is no single best 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 twelve different models.

The secret is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some families will opt for a minivan, others for an SUV. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

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

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