A car isn’t really an impulse buy (unless you’re really wealthy). Which means you will probably do a lot of research first. You have a good look at things like gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend right now. It is sensible to do this level of research. For most individuals who aren’t wealthy, it will take a long time to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make sure your investment is well spent.

You’ll be considering how your purchase best suits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really enjoy? How much room do you require for weekly supplies? How much power do you want to feel when you push down that accelerator?

Put another way, to get the most out of your new car, you need to evaluate your options and make some decisions. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s essential to have this same attitude. 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, in general, as well as what provides the most for your lifestyle.

The benefits of hearing aids

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 general way. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

The benefits of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying involved 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 during dinner, listen to your grandchildren tell you about fascinating dinosaurs, and chit-chat with the checkout clerk at the supermarket.

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

Are higher quality hearing aids always more costly?

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

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

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is very small and very sophisticated. That means you’re paying for an extremely potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for quite a while. If you take good care of them this is especially relevant.

But the most costly model won’t necessarily be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of factors to think about (including the degree of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! But the price of the device isn’t always the deciding variable.

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

Make certain you get the correct hearing aids for you

What options do you have? When it comes to hearing aids, you’ll have several different styles and kinds to choose 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 select from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These types of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are usually very discrete (perfect for individuals who want to hide their hearing aids). The only difficulty 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 mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. They will often have more high-tech functions being a little bigger than CIC models. These devices are still rather small and some of the functions can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand. Even still, ITC models are great for people who need more features but still want to remain discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to sit completely in your outer ear. Two styles 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 advanced technology and larger microphones will make these hearing aids a great choice.
• 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 two parts are connected by a little tube, but for the most part, it’s pretty non-visible. These hearing aids provide many amplification solutions making them quite popular. When you want the best of both visibility and power, 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. They have the advantage of reducing wind noise and are usually less visible.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Open-fit hearing aids will let low-frequency sounds enter the ear even while you’re hearing the device. This makes them a good fit for individuals who can hear those low-frequencies pretty well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It’s not a good option for all types of hearing loss, but it does work well for many people.

Pros and Cons of over-the-counter hearing aids

Another possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. OTC hearing aids work okay in general, much like OTC medications. But if your hearing loss warrants a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices could fall somewhat short. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing in the same way that prescription hearing aids can.

Regardless of what type of hearing aid you choose to buy, it’s always a smart idea to talk to us about what might work best for your specific needs.

Repair and upkeep

Of course, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to select your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. Just like your car needs oil changes now and then.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? You should get your hearing aid cleaned and maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be sure 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! 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 feel is the best.

Which hearing aids match your hearing loss requirements will be the ones that are best for you. Some families will go for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. The same goes for hearing aids, it all depends on your situation.

But the more you know beforehand and the better informed you are, the easier it will be to find the hearing aids that are ideal for you. Schedule a hearing test with us today!

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