Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to wear hearing aids”? What would your best friend say if you asked candid questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they really feel about using one? If you really want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demo, but for now, continue reading for a summary of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Occasionally Have Feedback
No, not the kind you might receive on a work evaluation. When a microphone and a speaker pick up each other’s signal, they interfere with each other creating a high-pitched screeching sound. It creates a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones 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.
Even though this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are correctly tuned, it’s rare. You might need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps happening.
Some state-of-the-art hearing aids have a feedback cancellation system that identifies feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Loud Setting
If you suffer from neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can feel like you’re eating by yourself. Conversations are almost impossible to keep up with. You may find yourself sitting there, nodding and smiling most of the night.
But hearing aids nowadays have some really sophisticated technology that can drown out background noise. The voices of your family and the restaurant staff become crystal clear.
3. Sometimes it Gets a Bit Sticky
Your body has a way of letting you know when something doesn’t belong. If you eat something overly spicy hot, you secrete more saliva to rinse it out. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you generate tears to wash your eye. Your ears have their own way of getting rid of a nuisance.
Earwax production.
So it’s hardly surprising that individuals who wear hearing aids frequently get to manage wax buildup. 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 begin enjoying 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 begins to affect cognitive function if they don’t have it treated quickly.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend the spoken language. Then memory, learning new things, and problem-solving become challenging.
Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps stop this brain atrophy. They re-train your brain. They can decrease and even reverse mental decline according to numerous studies. As a matter of fact, 80% of people had increased brain function, according to a study carried out by the AARP, after using hearing aids to treat their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced
Many individuals simply hate dealing with those tiny button batteries. And they seem to die 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 many of the perceived challenges with these batteries can be quickly resolved. You can significantly 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, you can choose a set of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. At night, simply dock them on the charger. Put it back on in the morning. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered charging docs so they will be available to you even if you are camping or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have advanced technology. It isn’t as hard as learning to use a new computer. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to adapt to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It progressively 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 typically will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s actually like to use hearing aids. If you want to figure it out, call us.
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html
The content of this blog is the intellectual property of MedPB.com and is reprinted here with permission.
The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
