Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are truly like? How does a hearing aid feel when you have one on, what does it 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 see us for a demonstration.
1. Hearing Aids Occasionally 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 coming from the speaker. 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 type of feedback just before somebody begins talking into a microphone.
Even though this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are properly tuned, it’s rare. You might need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps happening.
Feedback can be eliminated, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Loud Setting
Eating dinner out with the family can seem like eating dinner by yourself if you have neglected hearing loss. It’s almost impossible to keep up with the conversations. You may wind up sitting there, smiling and nodding most of the night.
But modern hearing aids have the advanced ability to block out background noise. They bring the voices of your children 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. If you eat something overly spicy hot, you secrete more saliva to wash it out. You will produce tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears have their own way of removing a nuisance.
They make extra wax.
As a result of this, earwax buildup can sometimes be a problem for people who wear hearing aids. Luckily, it’s just wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We’ll teach you how.)
Once you’re finished the cleaning you’re quickly back to good hearing.
4. There Are Advantages For Your Brain
You may be surprised by this one. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will gradually impact cognitive function as it progresses.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to understand the spoken language. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become challenging.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by wearing hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. Research shows that they can decrease cognitive decline and even reverse it. In fact, 80% of individuals had improved cognitive function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after wearing hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Many individuals simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And these batteries seem to choose the worst time to die, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.
But straight forward solutions exist to alleviate much of this perceived battery hassle. There are methods you can use to greatly increase battery life. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, today you can purchase rechargeable hearing aids. Just place it on the charger at night. In the morning, just put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered charging docs so they will be available to you even if you are hiking or camping.
6. You Will Have a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is quite sophisticated. It’s a lot simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids and to get the configurations right.
It steadily 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 used their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
Only actually using hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. 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