If you aren’t very wealthy, a car really isn’t an impulse buy. Which means you will most likely do a great deal of research first. You look at reviews, you assess prices, and you evaluate gas mileage. Google is your best friend these days. It is sensible to do this amount of research. For most individuals 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 certain your investment is well spent.

You’ll be thinking about how your purchase best fits your lifestyle and also practical things like safety, gas mileage, etc. Is there a specific style of vehicle you really enjoy? How much room do you need for weekly groceries? How fast do you want your car to be?

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 important to have this same mindset. 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, overall, as well as what delivers the most for your lifestyle.

Hearing aid benefits

In just the same way that you can discuss the benefits of a car in a very general way, you can also discuss the benefits of hearing aids in a similarly general way. Hearing aids are pretty awesome!

Yes, they help you hear, but for most individuals, the advantages are more tangible than that. With a set of hearing aids, you can stay connected to the people in your life. 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 engaging in conversations with friends.

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

Do more costly hearing aids work better?

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

And, to be certain, hearing aids can be an investment. There’s a reason why some hearing aids are costly in the first place:

• The technology inside of a hearing aid is really small and very state-of-the-art. That means you’re paying for a very potent technological package.
• Hearing aids are also made to last for a long time. Particularly if you take care of them.

But the most expensive model won’t automatically be your best fit or work the best. There are a lot of variables to think about (including the extent of your hearing loss and, well, your budget!) Do some hearing aids last longer than others? Of Course! But that isn’t always dictated by how expensive the device was in the first place.

In order to keep your hearing aids in good 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.

Be sure you get the right hearing aids for you

So, what are your choices? You’ll be able to pick from numerous different types and styles. We can help you determine which hearing aids will be best for your hearing needs. Here are the choices you will have to pick from:

• Completely-in-the-Canal Hearing Aids (CIC): These kinds of hearing aids can deliver high-quality sound and are usually very discrete (great for people who want to hide their hearing aids). The only difficulty is that they tend to have a shorter longevity and battery life. And some of the most state-of-the-art functions tend to be missing due to their smaller size.
• In-the-Canal Hearing Aids (ITC): These hearing aids are mostly discrete because they are molded to your ear canal. Because they’re a bit larger than CIC models, they might include more high-tech functions. Some of these features can be a little tricky to adjust by hand (because the devices are still quite small). Still, ITC models are ideal 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 your whole ear, or half shell, which sits in the lower ear). These hearing aids are more exposed but can include sophisticated and powerful microphones, making them an excellent choice for noise control or complex hearing problems.
• Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE): The speaker of this device fits 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 for the most part, it’s fairly non-visible. These hearing aids provide many amplification options making them quite popular. When you want the best of both power and visibility, these devices will be the perfect option.
• 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 similar to BTE models. This makes them even less visible, with the added advantage of reducing things like wind noise.
• Open-Fit Hearing Aids: Even when you’re using the device, low-frequency sounds can still get into the ear. If you have problems hearing higher frequencies but low-frequencies are not really an issue, these hearing aids will be a great fit for you. Though it works well for many people, it won’t be a good choice for everyone.

How about over-the-counter hearing aids?

Over-the-counter hearing aids (or OTC hearing aids, to keep flooding you with acronyms) are yet another alternative to think about. The difficulty is that OTC hearing aids are kind of like OTC medications, they work fine in a basic sense. But if your hearing loss calls for a pair of more powerful hearing aids or more specialized hearing aids, OTC devices might fall a bit short. Prescription hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs which is a feature generally not available with OTC hearing aids.

The best way to determine what kind of hearing aid will be best for you, you should talk with us.

Repair and maintenance

Obviously, once you’ve gone to all the trouble to pick out your perfect hearing aid type, you need to take care of it. Just like your car needs oil changes now and again.

So, now you’re thinking: how frequently should my hearing aids be assessed? You should have your hearing aid cleaned and properly maintained every six months to a year. This gives you an opportunity to be sure that everything is working effectively and as it should!

You should also get familiar with your warranty. You will save some cash when you are aware of 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 upkeep and a strong warranty.

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 secret is to choose the best hearing aid for you and for your needs. Some people will opt for a minivan, others for an SUV. The same is true with hearing aids, it all depends on your situation.

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

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