Ever wish you could get the inside scoop on what hearing aids are really like? 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? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you truly want to understand, come in for a demonstration.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Have Feedback
No, not the type you may get on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. Even modern microphone and speaker systems can have a sound loop created.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback just before somebody starts speaking into a microphone.
While this may sound terrible, and it is unpleasant, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. If you’re encountering it, the earmold might not be correctly fitted or you need to replace it.
Feedback can be removed, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Loud Setting
If you have untreated hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating by yourself. It’s almost impossible to follow the conversations. Most of the night, you might end up just nodding and smiling.
But today’s hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking capability for background sound. They bring the voices of your children and the wait staff into crystal clearness.
3. At Times it Gets a Little Sticky
When something is not right, your body has a way of reacting to it. If you eat something too spicy hot, you secrete more saliva to wash it out. You will generate tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears have their own way of removing a nuisance.
Earwax production.
So it’s no surprise that those 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.)
Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. There Are Advantages For Your Brain
This one may surprise you. When somebody develops hearing loss, it very slowly begins to impact cognitive function if they don’t have it treated quickly.
Accurately understanding spoken language is one of the first things to go. Then memory, learning new things, and problem-solving become a challenge.
This brain atrophy can be stopped in its tracks by getting hearing aids sooner than later. Your brain gets re-trained. Research shows that they can slow down cognitive decline and even reverse it. In fact, one study conducted by AARP revealed that 80% of individuals had increased cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced
Many people simply hate managing those tiny button batteries. And these batteries seem to choose the worst time to lose power, 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 proper strategies. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, nowadays you can buy hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just dock it on the charger at night. In the morning, just put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered chargers so you can charge them even if you are camping or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
Today, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It’s much simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But adjusting to your new hearing aids will definitely take a little time.
It gradually improves as you continue to wear your hearing aids. During this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Anybody who’s been wearing a set of hearing aids for six months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. 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