Congrats! Modern hearing aids are an impressive piece of technology, and you’ve just become the proud owner of a shiny new pair. But, just like with all new devices, there will be things that hearing aid wearers wish somebody had informed them about.
Let’s look at nine typical mistakes new hearing aid owners make and how you can steer clear of them.
1. Failing to understand hearing aid functionality
Or, more specifically, know how your hearing aid works. The hearing experience will be significantly improved if you know how to use advanced features for different environments like on the street, at the movies, or in a restaurant.
Your wireless devices, including smartphones and televisions can probably sync wirelessly to your hearing aids. Additionally, it may have a specific setting that helps you hear on the phone.
If you use this advanced technology in such a basic way, without learning about these features, you can easily get stuck in a rut. Hearing aids nowadays can do more than make the sound louder.
To get the clearest and best sound, take some time to practice using the hearing aid in different places. Check out how well you hear by asking a friend or family member to assist you.
As with anything new, it will get easier after a bit of practice. Just turning the volume up and down won’t even come close to giving you the hearing experience that using these more advanced features will.
2. Expecting instant improvement in your hearing
Consistent with number one, many new hearing aid owners think their hearing will be perfect as they leave the office. This is an incorrect assumption. It generally takes up to a month for most new users to become comfortable with their new hearing aids. But don’t get frustrated. They also say it’s really worth it.
Give yourself a few days, after getting home, to get accustomed to your new situation. It’s like breaking in a new pair of shoes. You might need to use it in short intervals.
Start in a calm setting with a friend where you are only talking. Simple voices may sound different at first, and this can be disorienting. Ask about the volume of your own voice and make corrections.
Slowly increase the time you wear your hearing aids and gradually add new places to visit.
You will have wonderful hearing experiences ahead of you if you can only be patient with yourself.
3. Not being honest about your degree of hearing loss during your hearing appointment
Responding honestly to the questions during your hearing exam will ensure you get fitted with the optimum hearing aid technology.
Go back and get another test if you realize you may not have been totally honest after you get your hearing aids. Getting it right the first time is easier. The degree and kind of hearing loss will determine the hearing aid styles that work best for you.
For example, certain hearing aids are better for people with hearing loss in the high-frequency range. People who have mid-range hearing loss will need different technology and etc.
4. Not getting a hearing aid fitting
Your hearing aids need to juggle a few requirements at the same time: They need to efficiently amplify sound, they need to be simple 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.
During hearing aid fitting sessions, you may:
- Have your hearing tested to identify the power level of your hearing aid.
- Have your ears precisely measured or have molds made (or both).
5. Not tracking your results
Once you’ve been fitted, it’s worthwhile to take notes on how your hearing aid performs and feels. If you have difficulty hearing in big rooms, make a note of that. If your right ear feels tighter than your left, make a note of that. Even make a note if everything feels great. This can help us make custom, minute adjustments to help your hearing aids achieve peak comfort and efficiency.
6. Not thinking about how you will use your hearing aid in advance
Water-resistant hearing aids are available. Others, however, can be damaged or even destroyed by water. Some have sophisticated features you may be willing to pay more for because you take pleasure in certain activities.
You can ask our opinion but the decision must be yours. Only you know which advanced features you’ll actually use and that’s worth committing to because if the hearing aids don’t work with your lifestyle you won’t use them.
You’ll be using your hearing aid for quite a while. So if you really need certain functions, you don’t want to settle for less.
Some other things to consider
- How obvious your hearing aid is might be something you’re worried about. Or perhaps you want to wear them with style.
- Consult with us about these things before your fitting so you can make sure you’re completely satisfied.
- You may want something that is very automated. Or maybe you enjoy having more control over the volume. How much battery life will you require?
Throughout the fitting process we can address many of the issues with regards to lifestyle, fit, and how you use your hearing aids. Also, you may be able to try out your hearing aids before you commit to a purchase. This demo period will help you determine which brand will be best for your requirements.
7. Not appropriately maintaining your hearing aids
Moisture is a significant issue for the majority of hearing aids. You might want to get a dehumidifier if you live in an overly humid place. Storing your hearing aid in the bathroom where people bathe is a bad idea.
Before you touch your hearing aid or its battery, be sure to clean your hands. Oils encountered normally on your hand can impact how well the hearing aid functions and the life of the batteries.
The hearing aid shouldn’t be allowed to accumulate earwax and skin cells. Instead, clean it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The life and function of your hearing aid will be improved by taking these simple steps.
8. Failing to have a set of spare batteries
Often, it’s the worst time when new hearing aid owners learn this one. When you’re about to find out who did it at the crucial moment of your favorite show, your batteries die without warning.
Like most electronics, battery life fluctuates depending on your usage and the external environment. So even if you recently changed your batteries, keep a spare set with you. Don’t allow an unpredictable battery to cause you to miss out on something significant.
9. Neglecting your hearing exercises
When you first get your hearing aids, there might be a presumption, and it’s not necessarily a baseless assumption, that your hearing aid will do all the heavy lifting. But the regions of your brain responsible for interpreting sound are also affected by hearing loss not only your ears.
You can start to work on restoring those ear-to-brain pathways after you get your new hearing aids. This might take place quite naturally for some individuals, particularly if the hearing loss was somewhat recent. But for other people, an intentional strategy might be required to get your hearing back to normal again. A couple of typical strategies include the following.
Reading out loud
Reading out loud is one of the easiest ways to rebuild those connections between your ears and your brain. Even if you feel a little weird at first you should still practice like this. You’re doing the essential work of linking the words (which you read) to the sound (which you say). The more you establish those connections, the better your hearing (and your hearing aid) will work.
Audiobooks
If you don’t like the idea of reading something out loud personally, then you can always go the audiobook route. You can get a physical copy of the book and an audio copy. Then as the audiobook plays, you can read along. You’ll hear a word as you’re reading it just like reading out loud. And that helps the hearing-and-language part of your brain get accustomed to hearing (and understanding) speech again.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10900/