Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are actually 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? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demonstration, but for now, keep reading for a description of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Get Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when someone tells you how what they think about your performance. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other creating a high-pitched screeching sound. It causes a sound loop that even modern speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback just before someone starts talking into a microphone.
Though this can be unpleasant, when hearing aids are properly tuned, it’s rare. You might need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps 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 Noisy Restaurant
Eating dinner out with the family can seem like eating dinner by yourself if you have neglected hearing loss. It’s virtually impossible to keep up with the conversations. You may end up sitting there, smiling and nodding most of the night.
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 at Times
Your body has a way of telling you when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will create saliva if you eat something too spicy. You will make tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
They create extra wax.
Due to this, earwax buildup can sometimes be an issue for people who use hearing aids. Thankfully, it’s just wax and it’s not a problem to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)
Once you’re finished the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain
This one may surprise you. When somebody has hearing loss, it very slowly begins to impact brain function if they don’t get it treated quickly.
Accurately understanding spoken language is one of the first things you lose. Solving problems, learning new things, and memory will then become challenging.
Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps slow this brain atrophy. Your brain gets re-trained. They can slow and even reverse mental decline according to many studies. In fact, one study reported by AARP showed that 80% of people had improved cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. You Need to Replace The Batteries
Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. 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 straight forward solutions exist to reduce much of this perceived battery trouble. There are methods you can use to substantially extend battery life. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, today you can buy hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just place it on the charger when you go to bed. In the morning, simply 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 sophisticated technology. It’s not as difficult as learning to operate a new computer. But getting used to your new hearing aids will certainly take some time.
It gradually improves as you keep wearing your hearing aids. During this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Anybody who’s been using a set of hearing aids for six months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
This is what it’s actually like to wear hearing aids. If you want to find out, contact us.
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html