Most individuals are happy with their hearing aids: As reported by one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of people who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience. When speaking about particular activities, 85% were satisfied in a group setting and watching TV, 78% while in the store, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some amazingly positive results. But that still leaves us wondering, what’s going on with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less happy with their hearing devices?
People with hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (We can easily fix most of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will make you love it even more. If you’re not as satisfied with it as wish you were, we’ll investigate what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. They have more energy. They participate and stay more active.
Their failure to hear isn’t as frustrating anymore. They feel less exhausted because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what other people are saying.
People are usually happiest when they feel connected with other people and their world, and for many wearing a hearing aid makes this possible.
2. They may sound distorted initially
Modern hearing aids are digital. They have many advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than just making everything louder. Because of this, some individuals might be dissatisfied when they’re in a loud setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but quite satisfied when in a one-on-one conversation.
Hearing aids aren’t difficult to learn to use. But they do take some practice getting used to them.
3. I couldn’t find out how to use my hearing aid on my own
A common misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. People might leave the office with the misunderstanding that the sound can’t get any better, which may prompt them not to wear them.
You may not even recognize how complex hearing loss is. Modern Hearing aids incorporate settings that address many levels and types of hearing loss.
When you are in the office, we will do a total hearing aid fitting. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by talking with a friend at first.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can help you get a better understanding of how your settings work and we can probably do some fine-tuning for you.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing out on without healthy hearing
Can you recollect what gentle laughter or a delicate whisper sounds like? How about the wind, wind chimes, birds singing, or soft music? Perhaps you can’t recall what kids playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the delicate breathing of your significant other.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a pleasing surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. It means a great deal to have these sounds restored, it allows them to again experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. It took a while to get accustomed to my hearing aids
You likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you may like to wear them all the time. It may take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
When something like a hearing aid is initially placed in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel discomfort. Eventually, when the body recognizes that it’s not threatened, it will become accustomed to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
People would never go back to having hearing loss if they were persistent and took the time to get used to them. They wouldn’t trade all the advantages of hearing, and they often regret putting off for so long to invest in a hearing aid.
People now wearing them who had trouble initially, say they’re so thankful they stuck with it. It’s made their life a whole lot more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you’re not having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. The effort and the time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, consult us about it. We can often offer tips on how to adjust to your hearing aids faster. Enjoying all that life has to provide with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.