Congratulations! Modern hearing aids are an amazing piece of technology, and you’ve just become the proud owner of a shiny new pair. But, just like with any new device, there are things that hearing aid owners wish someone had told them.
Let’s go over nine common mistakes new hearing aid owners make and how to avoid them.
1. Failing to understand hearing aid functionality
To put it simply, learn your hearing aid’s functions. The hearing experience will be significantly enhanced if you know how to use advanced features for different environments like on the street, at the movies, or in a restaurant.
It might be able to connect wirelessly to your smartphone, TV, or stereo. It might also have a setting that makes phone calls clearer.
If you use this sophisticated technology in such a basic way, without learning about these features, you can easily get stuck in a rut. Modern hearing aids do more than simply increase the volume of outside sounds.
Practice wearing your hearing aid in different settings in order to learn how to attain the clearest sound quality. Ask a friend or family member to help you so you can check how well you can hear.
Like anything new, it will get easier after a bit of practice. And your hearing experience will be much better than when you simply raise and lower the volume.
2. Thinking that your hearing will automatically improve
It’s not unusual for a new hearing aid users to think that their hearing will be perfect from the first day. This assumption is usually not how it works. It generally takes up to a month for most new users to get comfortable with their new hearing aids. But stay positive. The time you take is easily worth it according to those who are persistent.
Give yourself a few days, after getting home, to get used to your new experience. It won’t be that much different than breaking in new shoes. Sometimes, you will need to go slow and wear your new hearing aids a little at a time.
Start in a calm setting with a friend where you’re just talking. It can be somewhat disorienting at first because voices might sound different. Ask your friends if you’re speaking too loud and make the necessary adjustments.
Slowly increase the time you wear your hearing aids and progressively add new places to visit.
You will have wonderful hearing experiences in front of you if you can only be patient with yourself.
3. Not being honest about your level of hearing loss during your hearing appointment
In order to be sure you get the correct hearing aid technology, it’s crucial to answer any questions we may ask honestly.
If you already have your hearing aid and realize that maybe you weren’t as honest as you could have been, go back and get retested. But it’s better if you get it right the first time. The degree and type of hearing loss will identify the hearing aid styles that work best for you.
As an example, individuals with hearing loss in the high frequency range will need a specific type of hearing aid. Others are better for those with mid-frequency hearing loss and so on.
4. Not getting a hearing aid fitting
Your hearing aids need to manage a few requirements at the same time: They need to effectively amplify sound, they need to be easy to put in and take out, and they need to be comfortable in your ears. All three of those variables will be addressed during your fitting.
When you’re getting fitted, you may:
- Have your hearing tested to determine the power level of your hearing aid.
- Have your ears precisely measured or have molds made (or both).
5. Not tracking your results
It’s highly recommended that you take notes on how your hearing aid performs and feels after you get fitted. If you have problems hearing in big rooms, make a note of that. If your right ear seems tighter than your left, note that. If everything feels right, make a note. This can help us make custom, minute changes to help your hearing aids achieve peak comfort and efficiency.
6. Not planning how you will use your hearing aid in advance
Some hearing aids are resistant to water. Others, however, can be damaged or even ruined by water. Maybe you enjoy certain activities and you are willing to pay extra for more advanced features.
We can give you some recommendations but you must decide for yourself. You won’t use your hearing aid if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle and only you know what features you will use.
You’ll be using your hearing aid for quite a while. So if you really need certain features, you don’t want to settle for less.
A few more things to contemplate
- You may care about whether your hearing aid is visible. Or perhaps you want to wear them with style.
- Maybe you want a high level of automation. Or maybe you enjoy having more control over the volume. How much battery life will you require?
- Speak with us about these things before your fitting so you can make sure you’re totally satisfied.
Many issues that come up with regards to fit, lifestyle, and how you use your hearing aids can be dealt with during the fitting process. Also, you may be able to try out your hearing aids before you commit to a purchase. During this trial period, you’ll be able to get an idea of whether a particular brand of hearing aid would be right for you.
7. Not correctly maintaining your hearing aids
Moisture is a serious problem for the majority of hearing aids. If where you live is very humid, getting a dehumidifier may be worth the money. Storing your hearing aid in the bathroom where people bathe is a bad idea.
Always wash your hands before touching the hearing aid or batteries. Oils encountered normally on your hand can impact how well the hearing aid functions and the duration of the batteries.
Don’t let earwax or skin cells build up on the hearing aid. Instead, clean it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The life and function of your hearing aid will be increased by taking these simple steps.
8. Failing to have a set of spare batteries
New hearing aid users frequently learn this lesson at the worst times. When you’re about to learn who did it at the critical moment of your favorite show, your batteries die without warning.
Your battery life depends, like any electronic device, on the external environment and how you use it. So always keep a spare set of batteries handy, even if you recently changed them. Don’t miss out on something special because of an unpredictable battery.
9. Neglecting your hearing exercises
You may assume that your hearing aids will do all of the work when you first purchase them. But the parts of your brain in charge of interpreting sound are also affected by hearing loss not only your ears.
Once you get your hearing aids, you’ll be able to begin the work of restoring some of those ear-to-brain pathways and links. This may occur quite naturally for some people, particularly if the hearing loss was somewhat recent. But for others, a deliberate strategy may be required to get your hearing back to normal again. The following are a couple of common strategies.
Reading out loud
One of the most efficient ways you can restore those connections between your ears and your brain is to spend some time reading out loud. Even if you feel a little odd initially you should still practice like this. You’re practicing reconnecting the feeling of saying words with the sounds they make. The more you establish those connections, the better your hearing (and your hearing aid) will work.
Audiobooks
If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of reading something out loud personally, then you can always try audiobooks. You can get a physical copy of the book and an audio copy. Then, you read along with the book as the audiobook plays. This does the same job as reading something out loud, you hear a word while you’re reading it. This will teach the language parts of your brain to hear speech again.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10900/