The majority of people who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience: According to one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who use hearing aids are happy with their experience. When talking about specific activities, 85% were satisfied in a group setting and watching TV, 78% while shopping, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
These are some wonderfully positive figures for a complex device such as a hearing aid. But we have to question, what are the other 9%, 15%, and 25% experiencing? What makes them less satisfied with their hearing devices?
Individuals who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to say about them. (The good news, most of the bad stuff can be easily fixed.)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will make you love it even more. If you’re not as happy with it as wish you were, we’ll discover what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s frequently a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. Their energy levels are higher. They participate and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less frustration over their inability to hear. They feel less tired because they don’t have to struggle to understand what others are saying.
For many individuals, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Modern hearing aids are digital. They don’t only make sounds louder, they have lots of settings to help you hear best in various places. That’s why people might be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
It isn’t hard to learn to use a hearing aid. But getting used to them will take some practice.
3. I couldn’t learn how to use my hearing aid on my own
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as many individuals might think. People might leave the office with the mistake that the sound can’t get any better, which could prompt them not to use them.
You may not even recognize how complex hearing loss is. Hearing aids are designed to manage numerous types and degrees of hearing loss by adjusting how sound goes into the ear.
Our qualified hearing specialists will perform a hearing aid fitting in the office. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in various settings.
Talk with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can likely make adjustments or help you better comprehend how the hearing aid works in settings where you’re having difficulty.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing without complete hearing
Do you remember what a subtle whisper sounds like? What about gentle laughter? How about the wind, wind chimes, singing birds, or soft music? Perhaps you’ve forgotten what it’s like to hear the delicate breath of a significant other sitting near you or youngsters playing outside.
Hearing these little discreet sounds that were forgotten about is unexpectedly pleasant according to many individuals who get hearing aids. It means a whole lot to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once again experience the fullness and magnificence of the world around them.
5. Getting used to my new hearing aid took some getting used to.
You likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. But now, of course, you’re completely comfortable with them. It may take time to become accustomed to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
Our bodies are made to feel discomfort when something seems out of place, like a hearing aid going into your outer ear. But within a short time, the body realizes there’s no threat and welcomes the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
Individuals would never go back to having hearing loss if they were patient and took the time to get used to them. They wouldn’t trade all the benefits of hearing, and they frequently regret putting off for so long to get a hearing aid.
People now wearing them who struggled at first, say they’re so happy they persevered. Their lives have become a great deal more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the drive
Be patient and don’t give up, even if you’re not yet having the best experience. The effort and the time will be worth it. Before long, wearing the hearing aid will become automatic.
Let us know about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can usually give you tips on how to get used to your hearing aids faster. The patience is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.