Most people are happy with their hearing aids: 91% of hearing aid wearers are happy with the hearing aid experience when talking one-on-one, as reported by a recent survey. When processing results with particular activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the grocery store, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
These are some wonderfully positive figures for a complex device such as a hearing aid. But that still leaves us wondering, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as satisfied 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 things and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will help you love it even more. And for individuals who are less thrilled, this article should help you deal with your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
People who have had their ability to hear revived with a hearing aid frequently feel reconnected with those around them. They have more energy. They feel like they can better engage and stay active.
They find their days filled with less frustration over their inability to hear. They feel less exhausted because they don’t have to struggle to understand what people are saying.
For many individuals, a hearing aid allows them to 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 lots of advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than simply making everything louder. That’s why people may be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
Hearing aids aren’t difficult to learn to use. But they do take a little practice getting used to them.
3. I couldn’t find out how to use my hearing aid on my own
A common misunderstanding about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. If it doesn’t sound great 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 recognize. Hearing aids are developed to manage numerous types and levels of hearing loss by changing the way sound enters the ear.
When you are in the office, we will do a total hearing aid fitting. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in a variety of settings.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a few weeks. We can most likely make modifications or help you better understand how the hearing aid works in environments where you’re having difficulty.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing without full hearing
Can you recall what gentle laughter or a delicate whisper sounds like? What about soft music, birds singing, wind chimes, or the wind? Perhaps you’ve forgotten how it makes you feel to hear the gentle breath of a significant other sitting near you or youngsters playing outside.
Hearing these little subtle sounds that were forgotten about is unexpectedly pleasing according to many individuals who get hearing aids. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once more experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. It took a while to get accustomed to my hearing aids
You most likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you may like to wear them all the time. In a similar way, a new watch or a new hat might take some time to get accustomed to.
Our bodies are designed to feel discomfort when something feels out of place, like a hearing aid going into your outer ear. But pretty soon, the body recognizes there’s no threat and accepts the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t put off so long to get my hearing aid
People who took the time to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They usually regret putting off for so long and they would never give up the benefits of healthy hearing.
Of those now wearing them who struggled at first, say they’re so happy they stuck with it. Their lives have become so much more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you’re not having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. The effort and time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Let us know about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can often offer tips on how to get used to your hearing aids faster. Enjoying all that life has to provide with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.