Ever ask yourself “what would it actually be like to use hearing aids”? What would your good friend say if you asked honest questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they actually feel about using one? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you really want to understand, come in for a demonstration.
1. Hearing Aids Occasionally Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might receive on a work evaluation. When a microphone and a speaker pick up each other’s signal, they interfere with each other resulting in a high-pitched screeching sound. It creates a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
They may squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal speaks.
Although this can be unpleasant, when hearing aids are correctly tuned, it’s rare. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps happening.
Feedback can be eliminated, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Hear in a Loud Setting
Going to a restaurant with the family can feel like eating dinner alone if you have neglected hearing loss. Conversations are virtually impossible to keep up with. Most of the evening, you might 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 children and the servers into crystal clearness.
3. It Gets a Bit Sticky Sometimes
When something isn’t right, your body has a way of responding to it. If you eat something too spicy hot, you produce more saliva to rinse it out. You will generate tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.
They generate extra wax.
Due to this, earwax buildup can sometimes be an issue for individuals who use hearing aids. It’s just wax, thankfully, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We can help you learn how.)
Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You might be surprised by this one. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will slowly affect brain function as it progresses.
Fully understanding spoken language is one of the first things to go. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.
Getting hearing aids as soon as possible helps slow this brain atrophy. Your brain gets re-trained. Studies show that they can decrease cognitive decline and even reverse it. In fact, one study conducted by AARP revealed that 80% of people had increased cognitive function after managing their hearing loss.
5. You Have to Replace The Batteries
Many individuals simply hate managing those little button batteries. And they seem to run out of juice 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 details of a story.
But straight forward solutions exist to decrease much of this perceived battery hassle. You can substantially increase battery life by implementing the correct methods. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, you can purchase a pair of rechargeable hearing aids which are available now. When you go to bed, simply put them on the charger. In the morning, just put them back on. There are also solar-powered hearing aid chargers so you can even recharge your hearing aid while out fishing. camping, or hiking.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have advanced technology. It’s a lot easier than learning to use a computer for the first time. But adjusting to your new hearing aids will certainly take a little time.
The longer and more consistently you wear hearing aids the better it gets. Try to be patient with yourself and the hearing aids throughout this transition.
Individuals who have stayed the course and used 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, call us.
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html