Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are truly like? How does a hearing aid feel when you’re wearing one, what does it sound like, and what does it feel like in your ears are all questions you may want to ask someone who already has hearing aids? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you truly want to understand, come see us for a demo.
1. Sometimes You Get Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when somebody tells you how what they think about your performance. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other causing a high-pitched screeching sound. It produces a sound loop that even advanced speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback right before somebody starts talking into a microphone.
While this might sound terrible, and it is uncomfortable, it is rare when a hearing aid is properly tuned. If you’re experiencing it, the earmold might not be correctly fitted or you need to replace it.
Feedback can be eliminated, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Noisy Setting
Going to a restaurant with the family can feel like eating dinner alone if you have untreated hearing loss. Conversations are almost impossible to follow. You may find yourself sitting there, nodding and smiling most of the night.
But today’s hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking capability for background sound. They bring the voices of your children and the wait staff into crystal clearness.
3. It Gets a Little Sticky Sometimes
When something isn’t right, your body has a way of responding to it. Your body will make saliva if you eat something overly spicy. If you get something in your eye, you produce tears to wash your eye. Your ears have their own way of getting rid of a nuisance.
Earwax production.
Due to this, earwax accumulation can sometimes be a problem for people who wear hearing aids. It’s only wax, thankfully, so cleaning it isn’t a problem. (We’ll show you how.)
Once you’re finished the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain
You might be surprised by this one. When somebody develops hearing loss, it very slowly starts to affect brain function if they don’t get it treated as soon as possible.
One of the first things to go is the ability to comprehend what people are saying. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become challenging.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by using hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to numerous studies. In fact, one study reported by AARP revealed that 80% of people had increased cognitive function after managing their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Those little button batteries can be a bit challenging to manage. And they seem to run out of juice at the worst times, like when you’re about to hear “whodunnit” in a mystery movie, or just as your friend is telling you the juicy details of a story.
But straight forward solutions exist to reduce much of this perceived battery hassle. You can significantly extend battery life by implementing the proper methods. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, nowadays you can purchase hearing aids that are rechargeable. When you go to bed, simply dock them on the charger. In the morning, simply put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered charging docs so you can charge them even if you are hiking or camping.
6. You Will Have a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have advanced technology. It’s a lot simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It progressively improves as you keep wearing your hearing aids. During this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
People who have stayed the course and worn their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s really like to use hearing aids. Isn’t it time to learn for yourself?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html