If you aren’t very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse purchase. Which means you will most likely do a ton of research ahead of time. You take a good look at things like gas mileage, overall price, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. It is sensible to do this level of research. For most people who aren’t rich, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you’re about to 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. What style of vehicle do you enjoy? Do you require a lot of room to carry things around? How fast do you want your car to be?

In other words, to get the most from your new car, you need to evaluate your options and make some choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same attitude. They’re still an investment although they cost a lot less than a new car. Determining 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.

Hearing aid advantages

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

The benefits of hearing aids, for most people, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying connected with your friends and family will be a lot easier with a good pair of hearing aids. 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 seems sensible 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 costly hearing aids work better?

Some individuals may assume that they can only get a quality hearing aid if they get the most expensive device.

Hearing aids are definitely an investment. There’s a reason why some devices are costly in the first place:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very tiny and very state-of-the-art. So the package you’re paying for is very technologically potent.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for quite a while. Particularly if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. There are a lot of factors to think about (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! But that isn’t always determined by how costly the device was in the first place.

In order to keep your hearing aids in tip-top working condition, as with any other purchase, they will call for regular care and maintenance. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your ears and adjusted for your distinct level of hearing loss.

Get the appropriate hearing aids for your hearing loss

So, what are your choices? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and types to pick from. You can work with us to figure out which ones are best for you and your hearing needs. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to choose from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and tend to be very discrete (perfect for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only problem is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan 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 fit your ear canal. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they may include more high-tech features. Some of these functions 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 have some advanced features, this type will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit completely 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 problems or need more powerful noise control, the more sophisticated technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great 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 two parts are connected by a little 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 visibility and power, these devices will be the best choice.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is much like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part sits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the additional benefit of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids tend to 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 trouble with high-frequency sounds). 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 consider. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are sort 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 advanced or complex. Prescription hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs which is a feature generally not provided by OTC hearing aids.

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

Repair and maintenance

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

So, now you’re thinking: how often should my hearing aids be assessed? In general, you should schedule a routine upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you a chance to be sure that everything is working properly 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 aware of what is and isn’t covered. A good warranty and regular maintenance 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. Every hearing specialist might have a different model that they think is the best.

The key is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some families will go for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. It all just depends, and the same is true for hearing aids.

But the more you understand ahead of time and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Schedule a hearing exam with us today!

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