Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to use 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? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you really want to know, come in for a demo.
1. Sometimes You Get Feedback
No, not the kind you might get on a work evaluation. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other causing a high-pitched screeching sound. It produces a sound loop that even advanced speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
We’ve all heard this kind of feedback right before somebody begins speaking into a microphone.
Though this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are properly tuned, it’s rare. If you’re encountering it, the earmold may not be properly fitted or you need to replace it.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback cancellation system that recognizes feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. You Can Follow Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
If you have untreated hearing loss, having dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating by yourself. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with the conversations. Most of the evening, you may find yourself just nodding and smiling.
But today’s hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking ability for background sound. The voices of your family and the wait staff become crystal clear.
3. At Times it Gets a Little Sticky
When something is not right, your body has a way of responding to it. Your body will produce saliva if you eat something too spicy. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you produce tears to flush your eye. Your ears have their own way of removing a nuisance.
They generate extra wax.
So it’s no surprise that people who wear hearing aids often get to deal with the buildup of earwax. Fortunately, it’s only wax and it’s not a problem to clean the hearing aids. (We’ll teach you how.)
Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back to good hearing.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
This one may surprise you. If someone begins developing hearing loss it will gradually impact brain function as it progresses.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend what people are saying. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become difficult.
This brain atrophy can be slowed by wearing hearing aids sooner than later. Your brain gets re-trained. They can decrease and even reverse cognitive decline according to many studies. In fact, one study conducted by AARP showed that 80% of people had improved cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Those tiny button batteries can be a bit challenging to manage. 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 most of the perceived difficulties with these batteries can be easily resolved. You can substantially extend battery life by employing the right methods. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, you can purchase a pair of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. When you go to bed, simply put them on the charging unit. In the morning, just put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered chargers so they will be available to you even if you are hiking or camping.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
Today, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It’s not as hard as learning to use a new computer. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to get used to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It gradually gets better as you continue to wear your hearing aids. Throughout this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
People who have stayed the course and used their hearing aids for six months or more usually will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s actually like to use hearing aids. Isn’t it time to learn for yourself?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html