If you aren’t very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. So a great deal of research is most likely the first step you take. You have a good look at things such as gas mileage, price point, and customer reviews. Google is your best friend these days. This amount of research is logical! For most people who aren’t wealthy, it will take a while to pay off the thousands of dollars you will spend. So you want to make certain your investment is well spent.

You’ll be considering how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things such as safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a particular type of vehicle you really enjoy? Do you require a lot of room to carry things around? How much power do you need 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 choices. And when you’re picking out new hearing aids, it’s important to have this same mindset. They may not 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.

Hearing aid benefits

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 great!

The advantages of hearing aids, for most individuals, are more tangible than simply helping you hear. Staying involved with your friends and family will be much easier with a good set of hearing aids. You’ll be able to better follow conversations during dinner, listen to your grandkids tell you about cool dinosaurs, and converse with the checkout clerk at the supermarket.

With all these benefits, it stands to reason that you’d begin to ask, “How can I help my hearing aids last longer?” You want to keep those benefits coming!

Are higher quality hearing aids always more expensive?

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

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

• Hearing aids are designed to contain very advanced technologies, and they have to make those technologies as small as possible. That means you’re paying for a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also designed to last for quite a while. 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, what you can afford are a couple of the factors to consider. Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Sure! But that isn’t always dictated by how expensive the device was in the first place.

As with any other purchase, hearing aids will need regular maintenance in order to keep working effectively. What’s more, your hearing aids will have to be calibrated to your ears and calibrated for your specific level of hearing loss.

Make certain you get the best hearing aids for you

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

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): For individuals who want their hearing aids to be hidden and also deliver high-quality sound, these hearing aids will be the ideal choice. But with this type of hearing aid, battery life, and overall lifespan is often shorter. And some of the most sophisticated functions tend to be missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are specifically molded to your ear canal, which makes them mostly discrete. Because they’re a little larger than CIC models, they may include more high-tech functions. Some of these features can be a little tricky to manipulate by hand (because the devices are still quite small). Still, ITC models are great for people who require more features but still want to be discreet.
• In-the-Ear Hearing Aids: This style of hearing aid is molded to fit entirely inside your outer ear. Two styles are available (full shell, which fits your whole ear, or half shell, which fits in the lower ear). These hearing aids are more visible but can include sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing issues.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits in your ear and the more bulky electronic part goes behind your ear making them the best of both worlds in a way. The small tube that connects the two parts is still rather discrete. These hearing aids are popular because they offer many amplification choices. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the perfect choice.
• 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. This makes them even less visible, with the added benefit of cutting down on things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. This makes them a good fit for people who can hear those low-frequencies fairly well (but have problems with high-frequency sounds). It’s not 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 possibility to think about is OTC or over-the-counter hearing aids. The trouble is that OTC hearing aids are sort of like OTC medications, they work fine in a basic way. 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. Generally, OTC hearing aids can’t be specially calibrated to your hearing like prescription hearing aids can.

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

Maintenance and repair

After you decide on the best hearing aid for your hearing needs, taking care of it is crucial. Just like your car needs oil changes now and again.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be checked? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. By doing this you can be certain everything is in good working order.

You should also get familiar with your warranty. You will save some money when you are familiar with what is and isn’t covered. A good warranty and regular upkeep will help your hearing last as long as possible.

Is there a hearing aid that’s the best?

There isn’t a single best 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.

The secret is to find the best hearing aid for you and for your personal requirements. Some people will opt for a minivan, others for a sport utility vehicle. It all just depends, and the same goes for hearing aids.

But you will have an easier time finding the hearing aid that’s best for you if you are well informed beforehand. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!

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