Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to use hearing aids”? What would your good friend say if you asked candid questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they really feel about wearing one? If you really want to know what hearing aids are like, you need to come in for a demo, but for now, continue reading for a summary of what you can expect.
1. Occasionally You Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might get on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling noise that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound coming from the speaker. It causes a sound loop that even advanced speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
We’ve all heard this type of feedback just before somebody starts speaking into a microphone.
Although 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.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback suppression system that identifies feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. You Can Hear Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
If you have untreated hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a loud restaurant can feel like you’re eating by yourself. Conversations are nearly impossible to keep up with. You may wind up sitting there, smiling and nodding most of the night.
But hearing aids nowadays have some pretty advanced technology that can drown out background noise. They bring the voices of your family and the wait staff into crystal clearness.
3. At Times it Gets a Bit Sticky
When something isn’t right, your body has a way of responding to it. Your body will produce saliva if you eat something overly spicy. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you produce tears to flush your eye. Your ears have their own way of getting rid of a nuisance.
They produce extra wax.
Because of this, earwax buildup can sometimes be an issue for individuals who wear hearing aids. Fortunately, it’s only wax and it’s not a problem to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)
Once you’re finished the cleaning you’re quickly back to good hearing.
4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain
You may be surprised by this one. When somebody has hearing loss, it very slowly starts to affect brain function if they don’t have it treated quickly.
Accurately understanding what people are saying is one of the first things you lose. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by wearing hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. Research shows that they can decrease mental decline and even reverse it. In fact, 80% of people had increased cognitive function, according to research conducted by the AARP, after using hearing aids to treat their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced
Many people simply hate managing those tiny button batteries. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to lose power, like when you’re expecting a call from your doctor.
But most of the perceived challenges with these batteries can be easily resolved. There are strategies you can use to greatly increase battery life. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, you can buy a set of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. At night, just place them on the charging unit. Put it back on in the morning. There are also solar-powered hearing aid chargers so you can even recharge your hearing aid while out fishing. camping, or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is rather advanced. It’s not as difficult as learning to operate a new computer. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It progressively gets better as you keep wearing your hearing aids. During this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Anyone who’s been wearing a pair of hearing aids for six months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
This is what it’s really like to wear hearing aids. If you want to find out, call us.
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html