Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to wear hearing aids”? How does a hearing aid feel when you have one on, 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? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you truly want to know, come see us for a demo.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Get Feedback
No, not the kind you may receive on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a high-pitched sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound coming from the speaker. It causes a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback just before somebody begins talking into a microphone.
While this might sound mortifying, and it is uncomfortable, it is rare when a hearing aid is properly tuned. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps 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 Loud Restaurant
If you suffer from neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating by yourself. Conversations are nearly impossible to keep up with. Most of the evening, you might wind up just nodding and smiling.
But hearing aids today have some pretty sophisticated technology that can drown out background noise. The voices of your family and the wait staff become crystal clear.
3. It Gets a Bit Sticky Sometimes
Your body has a way of letting you know when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will make saliva if you eat something overly spicy. If you get something in your eye, you generate tears to flush your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.
Earwax production.
So it’s not surprising that individuals who wear hearing aids frequently get to deal with the buildup of earwax. Fortunately, it’s only wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)
Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain
You may be surprised by this one. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will gradually affect cognitive function as it progresses.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend the spoken language. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become difficult.
Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps slow this brain atrophy. They re-train your brain. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to many studies. In fact, 80% of people had improved cognitive function, according to a study conducted by the AARP, after using hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. You Have to Replace The Batteries
Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to die, like when you’re expecting a call from your doctor.
But straight forward solutions exist to alleviate much of this perceived battery hassle. You can substantially increase battery life by employing the correct strategies. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, today you can buy hearing aids that are rechargeable. When you go to bed, simply dock them on the charger. Put it back on in the morning. There are also solar-powered hearing aid docks so you can even recharge your hearing aid when you’re fishing. camping, or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is quite sophisticated. It’s not as difficult 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 gradually gets better as you continue to wear your hearing aids. Try to be patient with yourself and your 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.
This is what it’s actually like to wear hearing aids. Isn’t it time to find out for yourself?
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html