Most people are pleased with their hearing aids: Based upon one recent survey, when speaking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience. When talking about particular activities, 85% were satisfied in a group environment 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 that still leaves us wondering, what’s going on with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as satisfied with their devices?
Let’s explore the good and the bad things individuals have to say about their hearing aid results. (The good news, the majority of the bad stuff can be easily fixed.)
For individuals who are pleased with their hearing aids, this article will make you even happier. And for people who are less happy, this article should help you address your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. They have more vitality. They engage and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less discouragement over their inability to hear. Because they don’t need to work as hard to hear what people are saying, they feel less tired.
For many individuals, a hearing aid allows them to feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. At first, sounds seemed distorted
Hearing aids nowadays are digital. They have many advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than just making everything louder. Because of this, some people might 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.
Hearing aids aren’t complicated to learn to use. But they do take a little practice getting used to them.
3. I couldn’t learn how to use my hearing aid on my own
A frequent misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. People may leave the office with the mistake that the sound can’t get any better, which may prompt them not to use them.
Hearing is more complex than you may know. Hearing aids are developed to address various types and levels of hearing loss by adjusting how sound goes into the ear.
When you’re in the office, we will do a complete hearing aid fitting. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in various settings.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can help you have a better knowledge of how your settings work and we can probably do some fine-tuning for you.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing without complete hearing
Do you recall what a subtle whisper sounds like? What about gentle laughter? What about soft music, singing birds, wind chimes, or the wind? Perhaps you can’t recollect what children playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the delicate breathing of your significant other.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid share that it’s a nice surprise to suddenly hear these small things that they had forgotten about. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once more experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. It took a while to get accustomed to my hearing aids
When you were a toddler and had to wear shoes for the first time, you likely thought that was awkward. But now, of course, you’re totally comfortable with them. Similarly, a new watch or a new hat might take a bit of time to get used to.
When something like a hearing aid is initially placed in your ear canal, your body is designed to initially feel discomfort. But pretty soon, the body recognizes there is no threat and welcomes the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to purchase my hearing aid
Individuals who put in the time to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They normally regret putting off for so long and they would never trade the benefits of healthy hearing.
People who had patience and preserved were thankful that they did. Their lives have become a great deal more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the drive
If you aren’t having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t quit. The effort and the time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, consult us about it. We can usually offer tips on how to get used to your hearing aids faster. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.