A car isn’t really an impulse purchase (unless you’re really wealthy). So a great deal of research is probably the first thing you do. You check out reviews, you compare prices, and you consider gas mileage. Google is your best friend right now. This level of research is logical! You’re about to drop tens of thousands of dollars on something and spend years paying it off (unless, again, you are very rich). So you want to be certain it’s worth it!

Not only do you look at the concrete factors (gas mileage, safety, etc), but you’ll also think about best fits for your lifestyle. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really like? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How much pep do you want to feel when you push down that gas pedal?

In other words, to get the most from your new car, you need to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And that’s the same attitude you should take when selecting your hearing aids. They’re still an investment even though they cost much less than a new car. And getting the most from your investment means determining which devices work best, in general, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid advantages

In exactly the same way that you can talk about the benefits of a car in a very general way, you can also talk about the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly broad way. Hearing aids are a wonderful investment!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the benefits are more tangible than that. Staying connected with your friends and family will be a lot easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to more easily follow conversations at the dinner table, listen to your grandchildren tell you about cool dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the checkout clerk at the grocery store.

It’s only logical that you would want to make your hearing aids last as long as possible given all of the benefits. You don’t want those benefits to go away.

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

There may be some individuals 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 high priced device they can.

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really small and very advanced. That means you’re getting a very potent technological package.
• They’re made to be long-lasting. Especially if you take care of them.

But that doesn’t mean the most expensive option will inevitably work best. There are a lot of variables to consider (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 dictated by how costly the device was in the first place.

As with any other investment, hearing aids will require regular maintenance in order to keep working effectively. Also, your hearing loss is unique to you and your hearing aids will have to be tuned to your right needs.

Be sure you get the right hearing aids for you

So, what are your options? You’ll be able to choose from numerous different styles and types. You can work with us to determine which ones are the right choice for you and your hearing needs. But in general, here’s what you’ll have to select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are typically very discrete (great for people who want to hide their hearing aids). But with this kind of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan is often shorter. 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 your ear canal, which makes them mostly hidden. They will often have more high-tech functions being a little larger than CIC models. These devices are still pretty small and some of the functions can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand. Still, ITC models are great for people 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 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 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 option.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device sits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part sits behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The pieces are connected by a little tube, but in general, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids are popular because they provide many amplification solutions. These types are a great compromise between power and visibility.
• 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 fits in the ear canal. 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 tend to allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear even while you’re using the device. If you have difficulty hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies aren’t really a problem, these hearing aids will be a good fit for you. It isn’t a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

What 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. 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 a bit short. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs which is an option generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

No matter what kind of hearing aid you decide to purchase, it’s always a good plan to consult us about what might work best for your particular requirements.

Repair and maintenance

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

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

You should also become familiar with your warranty. If and when you require repair, knowing what’s covered by that warranty and what’s not can save you some money! So now you’re wondering: how can 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’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 a dozen different models.

Which hearing aids fit your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Just like with an automobile, for some an SUV will be the right choice, and for others, a minivan will best fit their lifestyles. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time choosing the hearing aid that’s right for you if you are well informed ahead of time. Schedule a hearing assessment with us today!

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