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 need to come in for a demo, but for now, keep reading for a description of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might receive on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. It produces a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
They may squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal starts talking.
While this may sound mortifying, and it is unpleasant, 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 Follow Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
If you have neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating alone. Conversations are nearly impossible to keep up with. Most of the night, you might wind 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 family and the wait staff into crystal clearness.
3. It Gets a Little Sticky at Times
Your body has a way of letting you know when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will create saliva if you eat something overly spicy. You will make tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.
Earwax production.
Due to this, earwax buildup can sometimes be a problem for people 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 relishing your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
This one may surprise you. If someone begins developing hearing loss it will slowly 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 problem-solving become challenging.
This brain atrophy can be stopped in its tracks by getting hearing aids as soon as you can. They re-train your brain. Studies show that they can slow down cognitive decline and even reverse it. As a matter of fact, 80% of individuals had increased brain 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
Those tiny button batteries can be a little difficult to manage. And they seem to die at the worst times, like when you’re about to hear “whodunnit” in a mystery movie, or just as your friend is telling you the juicy particulars of a story.
But many of the perceived difficulties with these batteries can be quickly solved. You can substantially extend battery life by employing the correct methods. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, today you can buy rechargeable hearing aids. When you go to bed, simply put them on the charging unit. Put it back on in the morning. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered chargers so you can charge them even if you are camping or hiking.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is rather advanced. It’s much simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to adapt to new hearing aids and to get the configurations right.
The longer and more regularly you use hearing aids the better it gets. Throughout this adjustment period, 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 usually will say it’s all worth it.
Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. If you want to find out, call us.
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html