Most individuals are pleased with their hearing aids: 91% of hearing aid wearers are happy with the hearing aid experience when speaking one-on-one, as reported by a recent survey. When talking about particular activities, 85% were satisfied in a group setting and watching TV, 78% while in the store, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
These are some dramatically positive numbers for an intricate device like a hearing aid. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as happy with their devices?
Individuals who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (We can easily fix the majority of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will make you love it even more. If you aren’t as satisfied with it as wish you were, we’ll explore what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s frequently a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. Their energy levels are higher. They engage and stay more active.
Their inability to hear isn’t as discouraging anymore. Because they don’t have to struggle to hear what people are saying, they feel less fatigued.
For many people, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. In the beginning, sounds seemed distorted
Modern hearing aids are digital. They have many advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than simply making everything louder. Because of this, some people may be dissatisfied when they’re in a noisy setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but really pleased when in a one-on-one conversation.
It’s not difficult to learn to use a hearing aid. But getting used to them will take a little practice.
3. I couldn’t learn how to use my hearing aid by myself
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as some individuals may presume. If it doesn’t sound right when they leave the office they might think that this is as good as it gets and decide it’s easier not to wear the hearing aid.
Hearing is more complex than you might know. Hearing aids are developed to manage various types and degrees of hearing loss by changing the way sound enters the ear.
When you are in the office, we will do a thorough hearing aid fitting. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in various settings.
If it still doesn’t sound right after a couple of weeks, talk to us. We can help you get a better knowledge of how your settings work and we can likely make some fine adjustments for you.
4. Without healthy hearing, you forgot what you were missing out on
Do you remember what a subtle whisper sounds like? How about gentle laughter? How about soft music, birds singing, wind chimes, or the wind? Maybe you can’t remember what children playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the soft breathing of your significant other.
Many people who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a pleasant surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. Having these sounds restored means the whole magnificence of the world around can once again be experienced by individuals who get hearing aids.
5. It took a while to get accustomed to my hearing aids
When you were a tot and had to wear shoes for the first time, you most likely thought that was awkward. Now you may prefer to wear them all the time. It might take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
Our bodies are made to feel uncomfortable when something seems out of place, such as a hearing aid going into your outer ear. Eventually, when the body knows that it’s not threatened, it will become used to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I hadn’t put off so long to invest in my hearing aid
Individuals who put in the time to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They normally feel disappointed about waiting so long and they would never give up the benefits of being able to hear.
Among those now wearing them who had trouble initially, say they’re so happy they persevered. Their lives have become so much more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
Be patient and don’t give up, even if you aren’t yet having the best experience. It’s worth the effort and time. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, talk with us about it. We can help you fine-tune your hearing aids in a faster and more efficient way. Enjoying all that life has to offer with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.