Most people are happy with their hearing aids: As reported by one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who use hearing aids are happy with their experience. When processing results with specific activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the grocery store, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some extremely positive results. But we have to question, what are the other 9%, 15%, and 25% experiencing? What makes them less satisfied with their hearing aid?
People who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (We can easily fix most of the bad things and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will help you love it even more. If you aren’t as satisfied with it as wish you were, we’ll discover what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
People who have had their ability to hear revived with a hearing aid often feel reconnected with individuals around them. They have more energy. They participate and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less discouragement over their failure to hear. They feel less fatigued because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what other people are saying.
For many people, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. Initially, sounds seemed distorted
Modern hearing aids are digital. They have lots of 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 noisy setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but quite pleased when in a one-on-one conversation.
Hearing aids aren’t complicated to learn to use. But getting used to them will take a little practice.
3. I needed assistance learning how to use my hearing aid
A common misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. People may leave the office with the mistake that the sound won’t get any better, which could prompt them not to wear them.
Hearing is more complex than you may realize. Hearing aids are designed to manage various types and degrees of hearing loss by adjusting how sound goes into the ear.
When you are in the office, we will do a total hearing aid fitting. It’s strongly advised that you practice using your hearing aid by talking with a friend at first.
If it still doesn’t sound good after a few weeks, talk to us. We can help you get a better understanding of how your settings work and we can most likely do some fine-tuning for you.
4. Without healthy hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Do you remember what a playful whisper sounds like? What about gentle laughter? What 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 gentle breathing of your significant other.
Hearing these little discreet sounds that were forgotten about is unexpectedly pleasant according to many individuals who get hearing aids. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once again experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. It took some time 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 might prefer to use them all the time. In a similar way, a new watch or a new hat might take a little time to get accustomed to.
When something like a hearing aid is first put in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel uncomfortable. But pretty soon, the body recognizes there is no threat and accepts the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t put off so long to invest in my hearing aid
Individuals who made the effort to get used to their hearing aids wouldn’t go back. They wouldn’t trade all the advantages of hearing, and they frequently regret waiting so long to invest in a hearing aid.
People who were patient and preserved were thankful that they did. It’s made their life so much more enriched.
Pay attention to improved hearing
If you aren’t having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. It’s worth the effort and time. Before long, wearing the hearing aid will become automatic.
Talk to us today about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can help you fine-tune your hearing aids in a faster and more effective way. The patience is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.