If you’re not very wealthy, a car isn’t really an impulse buy. So a lot of research is probably the first step you take. You check out reviews, you assess prices, and you evaluate gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) It makes sense to do this level of research. For most people who aren’t rich, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure it’s worth it!

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular style of vehicle you really like? 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 out of your new car, you have to assess your options and make some decisions. And that’s the same attitude you should have when selecting your hearing aids. They’re still an investment even though they cost a lot less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means figuring out which devices work best, overall, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

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

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

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

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

Some people may think 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 hearing aids are expensive in the first place:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very sophisticated technologies, and they need to make those technologies as tiny as possible. So the package you’re paying for is extremely 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. There are lots of variables to consider (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Some hearing aids will undoubtedly last longer than others. But the price of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

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

Get the correct hearing aids for your hearing loss

What choices do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to pick from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. But generally, here’s what you’ll have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (perfect for people who want to hide their hearing aids). The only problem 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 features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they may include more high-tech functions. Some of these features can be somewhat tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still quite small). If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also contain some advanced functions, this style will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the hearing aid sits inside your ear canal, it all fits in your outer ear. Two types are available (full shell, which fits the entirety of your ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). These hearing aids are more visible but can contain advanced and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a sense, 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 transfers all of the bulky electronics to a housing that goes behind your ear. The pieces are connected by a small tube, but for the most part, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids offer many amplification options making them quite popular. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the best solution.
• 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 added advantage of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• 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 individuals who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have difficulty with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good option for all forms of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

How about 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 problem is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work okay in a general way. But if your hearing loss warrants a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices might fall a bit short. In general, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially programmed to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

The best way to find out what type of hearing aid will be best for you, you should consult with us.

Upkeep and repair

After you choose the ideal hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. This is, once again, like a car which also requires upkeep.

So how often will your hearing aids need to be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working condition.

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

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There’s no single best hearing aid. If you go to twelve different hearing specialists and ask for the “best” hearing aid, they might provide you with twelve different models.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with a vehicle, 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 you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed beforehand. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!

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