The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids are satisfied with their results: As reported by one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of people who use hearing aids are pleased with their experience. When speaking about specific activities, 85% were satisfied in a group setting and watching TV, 78% while shopping, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some amazingly positive results. But we have to question, what are the other 9%, 15%, and 25% feeling? Why aren’t they as happy with their devices?
Let’s explore the good and the bad things individuals have to say about their hearing aid experience. (We can easily fix the majority of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will help you love it even more. If you aren’t as happy with it as wish you were, we’ll explore what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
People who have had their ability to hear restored with a hearing aid often feel reconnected with individuals around them. They have more vitality. They feel like they can better participate and remain active.
Their inability to hear isn’t so discouraging anymore. They feel less tired because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what other people are saying.
For many people, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Hearing aids today are digital. They don’t only make sounds louder, they have lots of settings to help you hear better in various places. Because of this, some people may be dissatisfied when they’re in a noisy setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but really 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
A common misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. People might leave the office with the misunderstanding that the sound can’t get any better, which could prompt them not to use them.
You might not even recognize how complex hearing loss can be. Hearing aids are developed to address various types and levels of hearing loss by transforming the way sound goes into the ear.
Our skilled hearing specialists will complete a hearing aid fitting in the office. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by chatting with a friend initially.
If it still doesn’t sound great after a couple of weeks, talk to us. We can probably make adjustments or help you better comprehend how the hearing aid works in environments where you’re having difficulty.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Do you recall what a subtle whisper sounds like? How about gentle laughter? How about the wind, wind chimes, birds singing, or soft music? Maybe you’ve forgotten what it’s like to hear the gentle breath of a significant other sitting close beside you or children playing outside.
Many people who get a hearing aid share that it’s a pleasing surprise to suddenly hear these small things that they had forgotten about. Having these sounds restored means the full brilliance of the world around can once again be experienced by individuals who get hearing aids.
5. It took some time to get used to my hearing aids
You probably weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a baby. But now, of course, you’re completely comfortable with them. In a similar way, a new watch or a new hat might take a little time to get accustomed to.
Our bodies are made to feel uncomfortable when something feels out of place, like a hearing aid going into your outer ear. Eventually, when the body recognizes that it’s not threatened, it will become accustomed to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
People would never go back to having hearing loss if they were persistent and took the time to get used to them. They wouldn’t give up all the benefits of hearing, and they often regret putting off for so long to invest in a hearing aid.
Individuals who were patient and stuck with it were thankful that they did. Their lives have become so much more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. The effort and time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Talk to us today about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can usually give you advice on how to get used to your hearing aids faster. Enjoying all that life has to offer with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.