Ever ask yourself “what would it actually be like to use hearing aids”? How does a hearing aid feel when you’re wearing one, what is the sound like, and what does it feel like in your ears are all questions you may want to ask someone who already has hearing aids? If you really want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demonstration, but for now, continue reading for a description of what you can expect.
1. Occasionally You Get Feedback
No, not the kind you may receive on a work evaluation. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other resulting in a high-pitched whistling sound. It produces a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback right before somebody starts talking into a microphone.
While this may sound terrible, and it is uncomfortable, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. If you’re encountering it, the earmold may not be correctly fitted or you need to replace it.
Feedback can be removed, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Loud Setting
If you have neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a loud restaurant can seem like you’re eating alone. Conversations are virtually impossible to follow. You may find yourself sitting there, nodding and smiling most of the night.
But modern hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking ability for background sound. They bring the voices of your children and the servers into crystal clarity.
3. It Gets a Bit Sticky at Times
Your body has a way of letting you know when something doesn’t belong. Your body will make saliva if you eat something overly spicy. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you generate tears to flush your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.
They make extra wax.
As a result of this, earwax accumulation can occasionally be a problem for individuals who wear hearing aids. It’s only wax, fortunately, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We can help you learn how.)
Then you’ll simply put that hearing aid back in and start enjoying your hearing again.
4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain
You may be surprised by this one. When somebody develops hearing loss, it very slowly starts to impact cognitive function if they don’t get 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 stopped in its tracks by wearing hearing aids sooner than later. Your brain gets re-trained. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to numerous studies. In fact, 80% of people had increased cognitive function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after wearing hearing aids to treat their hearing loss.
5. You Have to Replace The Batteries
Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And they seem to run out of juice at the worst times, like when you’re about to find out “whodunnit” in a mystery movie, or just as your friend is telling you the juicy particulars of a story.
But most of the perceived challenges with these batteries can be quickly resolved. There are strategies you can use to significantly extend battery life. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, nowadays you can purchase hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just put it on the charger when you go to bed. 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 camping, fishing, or hiking.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
The technology of modern hearing aids is quite advanced. It’s a lot easier than learning to use a computer for the first time. But adjusting to your new hearing aids will certainly take some time.
It progressively improves as you continue to wear your hearing aids. Try to be patient with yourself and the hearing aids during this transition.
Individuals who have stayed the course and worn their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
Only actually using hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. If you want to figure it out, give us a call.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html
