Most people are pleased with their hearing aids: Based upon one recent survey, when speaking one-on-one, 91% of people who wear hearing aids are pleased with their results. When processing results with specific activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the supermarket, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
For an advanced device like a hearing aid, these are some extremely positive results. But we have to question, what are the other 9%, 15%, and 25% experiencing? Why aren’t they as satisfied with their devices?
Individuals with hearing aids have some good and some bad things to say 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 help you love it even more. And for people who are less excited, this article should help you deal with your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. They have more energy. They participate and stay more active.
Their inability to hear isn’t so frustrating anymore. Because they don’t need to struggle to hear what people are saying, they feel less tired.
People are often happiest when they feel connected with others and their world, and for many wearing a hearing aid makes that possible.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Hearing aids today are digital. They don’t only make sounds louder, they have lots of settings to help you hear best in a variety of places. 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 hard to learn to use. But they do take a little practice getting used to them.
3. I needed assistance finding out how to use my hearing aid
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as some people may think. If it doesn’t sound right when they leave the office they might think that this is as good as it gets and choose not to wear the hearing aid.
Hearing is more complex than you may recognize. Hearing aids are developed to address various types and levels of hearing loss by adjusting the way sound goes into the ear.
Our qualified hearing specialists will complete a hearing aid fitting in the office. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by chatting with a friend at first.
If it still doesn’t sound great after a few weeks, consult us. We can help you get a better understanding of how your functions work and we can most likely do some fine-tuning for you.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing out on
Can you recollect what gentle laughter or a soft whisper sounds like? How about the wind, wind chimes, singing birds, or soft music? Perhaps you’ve forgotten what it’s like to hear the gentle breath of a significant other sitting close beside you or youngsters playing outside.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid share that it’s a pleasing surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. Having these sounds restored means the full brilliance of the world around can once again be experienced by people who get hearing aids.
5. Becoming accustomed to my new hearing aid took some getting used to.
You likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. But now, of course, you’re totally comfortable with them. It may take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
When something like a hearing aid is initially placed in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel discomfort. Eventually, when the body recognizes that it’s not threatened, it will become accustomed to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
People who made the effort to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They wouldn’t give up all the advantages of hearing, and they frequently regret waiting so long to invest in a hearing aid.
Individuals who were patient and stuck with it were thankful that they did. Their lives have become a great deal more enriched.
Pay attention to improved hearing
Be patient and don’t quit, even if you aren’t yet having the best experience. It’s worth the time and effort. Soon, using the hearing aid will become automatic.
Talk to us today about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can often give you advice on how to adjust to your hearing aids faster. Enjoying all that life has to offer with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.