Two women talking about what hearing aids are really like while having coffee at a table.

Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are really like? How does a hearing aid feel when you’re wearing one, 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 demonstration.

1. Hearing Aids Occasionally Have Feedback

This isn’t the kind of feedback that you get when someone tells you how what they think about your results. “Feedback “ is a high-pitched sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. It causes a sound loop that even advanced speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.

We’ve all heard this kind of feedback just before someone starts speaking into a microphone.

While this may sound mortifying, and it is uncomfortable, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. 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 suppression system.

2. Conversations Are Easier to Hear in a Loud Setting

Eating dinner out with the family can seem like eating dinner by yourself if you have untreated hearing loss. Conversations are nearly impossible to follow. Most of the evening, you may find yourself just nodding and smiling.

But modern hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking capability for background sound. The voices of your family and the wait staff become crystal clear.

3. It Gets a Little Sticky Sometimes

Your body has a way of letting you know when something doesn’t belong. Your body will produce saliva if you eat something too spicy. You will produce tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears have their own way of eliminating a nuisance.

They produce extra wax.

So it’s no surprise that those who wear hearing aids often get to deal with wax buildup. Thankfully, it’s only wax and it’s not a problem to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)

Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.

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.

Fully understanding spoken language is one of the first things to go. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become a difficulty.

Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps slow this brain atrophy. They re-train your brain. They can decrease 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 managing their hearing loss.

5. You Need to Replace The Batteries

Those tiny button batteries can be a little difficult to deal with. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to die, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.

But most of the perceived difficulties with these batteries can be quickly solved. There are methods you can use to greatly increase battery life. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.

Or, today you can purchase hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just put it on the charger at night. Put it back on in the morning. There are also solar-powered hearing aid docks so you can even recharge your hearing aid while out camping, fishing, or hiking.

6. There’s a Learning Curve

The technology of modern-day hearing aids is quite advanced. It’s a lot simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.

The longer and more routinely you use hearing aids the better it gets. During this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.

Anyone who’s been using a pair of hearing aids for 6 months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.

This is what it’s actually like to use hearing aids. If you want to find out, give us a call.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment



References

https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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