What is it Really Like Wearing Hearing Aids?

Two women talking about what hearing aids are really like while having coffee at a table.

Ever wish you could get the inside scoop 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? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you need to come in for a demo, but for now, continue reading for a description of what you can expect.

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 results. When a microphone and a speaker pick up each other’s signal, they interfere with each other creating a high-pitched whistling sound. It produces a sound loop that even modern speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.

They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal starts talking.

Though this can be unpleasant, when hearing aids are properly tuned, it’s rare. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this continues happening.

Feedback can be eliminated, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.

2. Conversations Are Easier to Hear in a Loud Setting

If you suffer from neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating alone. Conversations are almost impossible to keep up with. You may end up sitting there, nodding and smiling most of the night.

But today’s hearing aids have the advanced ability to block out background noise. The voices of your family and the restaurant staff become crystal clear.

3. It Gets a Bit Sticky at Times

When something is not right, your body has a way of reacting to it. Your body will produce saliva if you eat something overly spicy. You will generate tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.

They create extra wax.

Because of this, earwax buildup can occasionally be a problem for people who wear hearing aids. Luckily, it’s only wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)

Then you’ll just put that hearing aid back in and start enjoying your hearing again.

4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit

You may be surprised by this one. If someone begins developing hearing loss it will slowly impact brain function as it progresses.

Accurately understanding what people are saying is one of the first things to go. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.

This brain atrophy can be stopped in its tracks by wearing hearing aids sooner than later. Your brain gets re-trained. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to numerous studies. As a matter of fact, one study conducted by AARP showed that 80% of individuals had improved cognitive function after managing their hearing loss.

5. You Need to Replace The Batteries

Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And they seem to die at the worst times, like when you’re about to find out “whodunnit” in a mystery movie, or just as your friend is telling you the juicy details of a story.

But many of the perceived challenges with these batteries can be easily solved. You can substantially extend battery life by employing the right strategies. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.

Or, you can choose a pair of rechargeable hearing aids which are available now. When you go to bed, simply put them on the charging unit. 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

Today, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It’s much simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to adapt to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.

It steadily improves as you continue to wear your hearing aids. During this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.

Anybody who’s been wearing a set of hearing aids for 6 months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.

Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. Isn’t it time to find out for yourself?



References

https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.