Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to wear hearing aids”? 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? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demo, but for now, continue reading for an outline of what you can expect.
1. Occasionally You Get Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when someone tells you how what they think about your results. When a microphone and a speaker pick up each other’s signal, they interfere with each other creating a high-pitched whistling 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 speaking into a microphone.
Though this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are correctly tuned, it’s rare. You might need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this continues happening.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback suppression system that recognizes feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Loud Setting
Eating dinner out with the family can feel like eating dinner by yourself if you have untreated hearing loss. It’s nearly impossible to follow the conversations. You may wind up sitting there, nodding and smiling most of the night.
But hearing aids nowadays have some really advanced 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 doesn’t belong. Your body will create saliva if you eat something too spicy. If you get something in your eye, you produce tears to wash your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
They create extra wax.
So it’s not surprising that individuals who wear hearing aids often get to deal with the buildup of earwax. It’s just wax, fortunately, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We’ll show you how.)
Then you’ll just put that hearing aid back in and start enjoying your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You might be surprised by this one. When somebody develops hearing loss, it very slowly starts to impact brain function if they don’t have it treated quickly.
One of the first things to go is the ability to understand the spoken language. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by using hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. Studies show that they can slow down mental decline and even reverse it. As a matter of fact, one study conducted by AARP showed that 80% of people had increased cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. You Have to Replace The Batteries
Those tiny button batteries can be a bit difficult to deal with. 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 particulars of a story.
But simple solutions exist to decrease much of this perceived battery hassle. You can significantly increase battery life by using the correct strategies. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, you can choose a set of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. When you go to bed, simply dock them on the charging unit. In the morning, simply put them back on. There are also solar-powered hearing aid docks so you can even recharge your hearing aid when you’re fishing. camping, or hiking.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have advanced technology. It isn’t as hard as learning to use a new computer. But adjusting to your new hearing aids will definitely take a little time.
The longer and more routinely you use hearing aids the better it gets. Throughout this adjustment time, 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. Isn’t it time to learn for yourself?
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html
