Ever ask yourself “what would it really be like to wear 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 truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demonstration, but for now, continue reading for an explanation of what you can expect.
1. Occasionally You Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might receive on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling noise that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. It creates a sound loop that even modern speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium right before the principal speaks.
While this might sound mortifying, and it is unpleasant, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this continues happening.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback cancellation system that identifies feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. You Can Hear Conversations in a Loud Restaurant
Eating dinner out with the family can seem like eating dinner by yourself if you have neglected hearing loss. It’s almost impossible to follow the conversations. Most of the evening, you may wind up just nodding and smiling.
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. It Gets a Little Sticky at Times
When something isn’t right, your body has a way of reacting to it. If you eat something too spicy hot, you produce more saliva to wash it out. You will generate tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.
Earwax production.
So it’s hardly surprising that individuals who wear hearing aids often get to manage wax buildup. Thankfully, it’s just wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We’ll teach you how.)
Then you’ll just put that hearing aid back in and start enjoying your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You might be surprised by this one. If someone begins developing hearing loss it will gradually impact brain function as it progresses.
One of the first things to go is the ability to understand what people are saying. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become challenging.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by using hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. They can slow and even reverse mental decline according to many studies. As a matter of fact, 80% of people had increased mental function, according to a study carried out by the AARP, after wearing hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced
Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to lose power, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.
But many of the perceived challenges with these batteries can be quickly solved. There are methods 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, nowadays you can purchase rechargeable hearing aids. Just place it on the charger when you go to bed. In the morning, just put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered charging docs so you can charge them even if you are hiking or camping.
6. You Will Have a Learning Curve
Today, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It isn’t as hard as learning to operate a new computer. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to get used 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.
Individuals who have stayed the course and worn their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s really like to wear hearing aids. If you want to figure it out, give us a call.
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html