If you aren’t really rich, a car isn’t really an impulse purchase. So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. You check out reviews, you assess prices, and you consider gas mileage. (You’re on Google a lot.) This level of research is logical! You’re about to spend tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific style of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you require a lot of space to carry things around? How much pep do you need to feel when you press down that accelerator?

So you should take a close look at all of your options and make some informed decisions in order to get the most from your purchase. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same attitude. They won’t cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they’re still an investment. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, in general, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

The advantages of hearing aids

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

Yes, they help you hear, but for most people, the benefits are more tangible than that. Staying connected with your friends and family 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 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 help my hearing aids last longer?” You don’t want those benefits to stop.

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

There may be some people out there who would assume that the most effective way to make your hearing aid work better and last longer is to simply buy the most high priced device possible.

Hearing aids are definitely an investment. Here are a couple of reasons why some hearing aids might be expensive:

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very state-of-the-art technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re purchasing an extremely potent technological package.
• They’re designed to be long-lasting. If you take good care of them this is especially relevant.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. There are lots of variables to think about (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, how much you can spend!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! But the price of the device isn’t always the deciding factor.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. Also, your hearing loss is distinct to you and your hearing aids will need to be programmed to your exact needs.

Make sure you get the best hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have numerous different styles and kinds to choose from. We can help you identify which hearing aids will be best for your hearing requirements. Here are the solutions you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are usually very discrete (great for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only difficulty is that they tend to have a shorter lifespan and battery life. The small size also means you don’t get some of the most modern features.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are custom molded to fit your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they may contain more high-tech functions. These devices are still pretty small and some of the functions can be a bit difficult to manipulate by hand. If you want your hearing aid to be discrete but also include some sophisticated functions, this style will be appropriate.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This type of hearing aid is molded to sit completely inside your outer ear. Two types are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower 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 choice.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): In a way, BTE hearing aids are the best of both worlds. This style of hearing aid has one bit that sits in your ear (that’s the speaker) but transfers all of the bulky electronics to a casing that goes behind your ear. The little tube that connects the two parts is still fairly discrete. These hearing aids are popular because they offer many amplification solutions. When you want the best of both visibility and power, these devices will be the perfect solution.
• Receiving-in-the-Canal (or in the Ear) Hearing Aids (RIC or RITE): This is a lot like BTE hearing aids, except the speaker part sits in the ear canal. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of reducing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re using the device. This makes them a good fit for people who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It isn’t a good choice for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many individuals.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another option to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work fine in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss warrants a set of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall a bit short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specifically tuned to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

Regardless of what type of hearing aid you choose to buy, it’s always a smart plan to talk to us about what will work best for your particular 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. Just like your car needs oil changes once in a while.

So how frequently will your hearing aids need to be assessed? In general, you should schedule a regular upkeep and cleaning appointment for your hearing aids every six-to-twelve months. This gives you an opportunity 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 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 strong warranty.

So… what is the best hearing aid?

There is no single greatest all-time hearing aid. If you go to see twelve different hearing specialists and request the “best” hearing aid, they may provide you with twelve different models.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Some families will go 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 ahead of time. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment