Ever ask yourself “what would it actually be like to use hearing aids”? How does a hearing aid feel when you have one on, what is the 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? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you need to come in for a demo, but for now, keep reading for a description of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Occasionally Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might get on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. Even modern microphone and speaker systems can have a sound loop created.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback just before somebody starts speaking into a microphone.
Although this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are properly tuned, it’s rare. If you’re encountering it, the earmold might not be correctly fitted or you need to replace it.
Feedback can be removed, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. You Can Hear Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
Eating dinner out with the family can feel like eating dinner alone if you have untreated hearing loss. It’s nearly impossible to follow the conversations. Most of the night, you may wind up just nodding and smiling.
But hearing aids nowadays have some really sophisticated technology that can cancel out background noise. The voices of your family and the wait staff become crystal clear.
3. It Gets a Little Sticky at Times
Your body has a way of telling you when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will create saliva if you eat something too spicy. You will generate tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
They make extra wax.
So it’s no surprise that those who wear hearing aids often get to manage wax buildup. It’s only wax, fortunately, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We can help you learn how.)
Then you’ll just put that hearing aid back in and begin relishing your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You might be surprised by this one. When a person develops hearing loss, it very gradually starts to impact cognitive function if they don’t have it treated as soon as possible.
One of the first things to go is the ability to understand the spoken language. Solving problems, learning new things, and memory will then become difficult.
Getting hearing aids as soon as possible helps slow this brain atrophy. Your brain gets re-trained. They can decrease and even reverse mental decline according to many studies. In fact, 80% of individuals had increased brain function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after using hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Those tiny button batteries can be a little challenging to manage. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to lose power, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.
But straight forward solutions exist to alleviate much of this perceived battery hassle. You can greatly extend battery life by employing the proper methods. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, today you can purchase hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just put it on the charger when you go to bed. In the morning, simply put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered charging docs so you can charge them even if you are camping or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
The technology of modern hearing aids is rather advanced. It’s not as hard as learning to use a new computer. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to get used to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It steadily gets better as you keep wearing your hearing aids. Throughout this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
People who have stayed the course and used their hearing aids for six months or more usually will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s really like to wear hearing aids. Isn’t it time to learn for yourself?
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html