Most people are happy with their hearing aids: 91% of hearing aid wearers are pleased with the hearing aid experience when talking one-on-one, based on a recent survey. When breaking down results with particular activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the supermarket, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
These are some wonderfully positive numbers for a complex device such as a hearing aid. But that still leaves us wondering, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as happy with their devices?
Individuals who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (The good news, most of the bad things can be easily fixed.)
For individuals who are happy with their hearing aids, this article will make you even more happy. If you’re not as happy with it as you’d like to be, we’ll investigate what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s frequently a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. They have more energy. They engage and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less frustration over their failure to hear. Because they don’t have to work as hard to hear what people are saying, they feel less fatigued.
People are usually happiest when they feel connected to others and their world, and for many using a hearing aid makes that possible.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Modern hearing aids are digital. They have lots of advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than just making everything louder. Because of this, some people might be dissatisfied when they’re in a loud setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but quite satisfied when in a one-on-one conversation.
It’s not difficult to learn to use a hearing aid. But getting used to them will take a bit of practice.
3. I couldn’t learn how to use my hearing aid on my own
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as many individuals may presume. People may leave the office with the misconception that the sound won’t get any better, which may prompt them not to wear them.
Hearing is more complex than you may recognize. Hearing aids are developed to manage various types and levels of hearing loss by changing the way sound goes into the ear.
Our experienced hearing specialists will undertake a hearing aid fitting in the office. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in a variety of settings.
Talk with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can very likely make modifications or help you better comprehend how the hearing aid works in settings where you’re having trouble.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing out on without healthy hearing
Can you recall what gentle laughter or a soft whisper sounds like? What about the wind, wind chimes, birds singing, or soft music? Perhaps you’ve forgotten how it makes you feel to hear the soft breath of a significant other sitting close beside you or youngsters playing outside.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid share that it’s a pleasing surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. It means a great deal to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once again experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. Becoming accustomed to my new hearing aid took some getting used to.
When you were a toddler and had to put on shoes for the first time, you likely thought that was awkward. Now you may like to use them all the time. In a similar way, a new watch or a new hat might take a bit of time to get accustomed to.
When something like a hearing aid is first put in your ear canal, your body is designed to initially feel discomfort. But within a short time, the body realizes there is no threat and accepts the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t put off so long to purchase my hearing aid
People who put in the time to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They usually feel disappointed about putting off for so long and they would never give up the benefits of healthy hearing.
Among those now wearing them who had trouble at first, say they’re so thankful they stuck with it. It’s made their life a whole lot more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the drive
Be patient and don’t quit, even if you’re not yet having the ideal experience. The effort and the time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, consult us about it. We can help you fine-tune your hearing aids in a faster and more efficient way. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.