Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are really like? What would your good friend say if you asked honest questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they actually feel about wearing one? 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 Sometimes Get Feedback
This isn’t the kind of feedback that you get when someone tells you how they feel about your performance. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other resulting in a high-pitched whistling sound. It produces a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.
They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal speaks.
While this might sound terrible, and it is unpleasant, it is rare when a hearing aid is properly maintained. You might need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this keeps happening.
Feedback can be removed, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.
2. You Can Follow Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
Going to a restaurant with the family can feel like eating dinner by yourself if you have untreated hearing loss. Conversations are virtually impossible to follow. You may end up sitting there, smiling and nodding most of the night.
But today’s hearing aids have the advanced ability to block out background noise. The voices of your family and the restaurant staff become crystal clear.
3. It Gets a Little Sticky Sometimes
Your body has a way of letting you know when something shouldn’t be there. If you eat something overly spicy hot, you secrete more saliva to wash it out. You will generate tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
They produce extra wax.
Because of this, earwax accumulation can sometimes be a problem for people who use hearing aids. Luckily, it’s just wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)
Once you’re done the cleaning you’re quickly back in business.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
This one may surprise you. When a person develops hearing loss, it very gradually begins to affect cognitive function if they don’t get it treated as soon as possible.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend what people are saying. Then memory, learning new things, and problem-solving become a difficulty.
This brain atrophy can be stopped in its tracks by wearing hearing aids as soon as you can. They re-train your brain. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to many studies. As a matter of fact, 80% of individuals had improved mental function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after wearing hearing aids to treat their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Many people simply hate dealing with those little button batteries. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to die, like when you’re expecting a call from your doctor.
But many of the perceived difficulties with these batteries can be quickly solved. You can significantly extend battery life by implementing the proper methods. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, you can buy a set of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. At night, simply place them on the charging unit. Put it back on in the morning. You can even get some hearing aids with solar-powered chargers so you can charge them even if you are camping or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is quite sophisticated. It isn’t as difficult 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.
The longer and more consistently 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 typically will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s really like to wear hearing aids. If you want to figure it out, call us.
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html