If you’re not really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a great deal of research is probably the first thing you do. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend these days. This level of research makes sense! You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying for it (unless, again, you are really wealthy). So you want to make certain your investment is well spent.

Not only do you look at the objective factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. What style of vehicle do you want? Do you require a lot of room to carry things around? How fast do you want your car to be?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you have to examine your options and make some choices. And when you’re selecting new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same mindset. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. Identifying which device will fit your lifestyle best and which device works best in general, is the best way to get the most from your investment.

The benefits of hearing aids

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

The benefits of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than merely helping you hear. Staying connected with your family and friends will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time chatting with the clerk at the pharmacy, listening to a tale about dinosaurs over dinner with your grandchildren, and engaging in conversations with friends.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as you can given all of the benefits. You want to keep those benefits going!

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

There may be some people out there who would presume that the best way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to just purchase the most expensive device they can.

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

• Hearing aids are designed to include very sophisticated technologies, and they need to make those technologies as small as possible. So the package you’re purchasing is extremely technologically potent.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is especially true.

But the most costly model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. How profound your hearing loss is and, obviously, your budget are a couple of the variables to think about. Some hearing aids will definitely last longer than others. But the cost of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

As with any other purchase, hearing aids will require regular maintenance in order to continue working properly. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be programmed to your right requirements.

Get the proper 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 the right choice for you and your hearing needs. Here are the options you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For people who want their hearing aids to be discrete and also deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the best choice. The only trouble 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 sophisticated features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they may include more high-tech features. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a bit difficult to manipulate by hand. Even still, ITC models are ideal for individuals who require more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: These devices are also molded to your ears. No part of the device sits inside 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 hearing aids are more visible but can contain sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them a great option for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• 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 two parts are connected by a small tube, but for the most part, it’s pretty non-visible. These hearing aids are popular because they offer many amplification options. These types are a great compromise between visibility and power.
• 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 generally less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really an issue, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many individuals, it won’t be a good option for everyone.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep inundating you with acronyms) are yet another option to consider. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss calls for a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices may fall somewhat short. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

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

Upkeep and repair

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

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? Generally, you should schedule a regular maintenance and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you an opportunity to make sure everything’s working effectively and as it should!

It’s also a good idea to be fairly familiar with your device’s 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.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There’s no single best 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 people will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same is true for hearing aids, it just depends on your specific situation.

But the more you know ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to get the hearing aids that are perfect for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

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