Ever wish you could get the inside skinny on what hearing aids are actually like? How does a hearing aid feel when you have one on, what is the 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? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you need to come in for a demonstration, but for now, continue reading for an outline of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes 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 resulting in a high-pitched screeching sound. Even modern microphone and speaker systems can have a sound loop created.
We’ve all heard this type of feedback right before someone begins talking into a microphone.
Though this can be uncomfortable, when hearing aids are correctly tuned, it’s rare. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this continues happening.
Feedback can be removed, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.
2. You Can Hear Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
If you suffer from neglected hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating by yourself. Conversations are nearly impossible to keep up with. You may wind up sitting there, smiling and nodding most of the night.
But hearing aids nowadays have some pretty sophisticated technology that can cancel out background noise. The voices of your family and the restaurant staff become crystal clear.
3. It Gets a Bit 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. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you generate tears to wash your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
Earwax production.
Due to this, earwax buildup can sometimes be an issue for individuals who wear hearing aids. Fortunately, 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 to good hearing.
4. There Are Advantages For Your Brain
You might be surprised by this one. When somebody develops hearing loss, it very gradually starts to impact brain function if they don’t get it treated as soon as possible.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to understand the spoken language. Solving problems, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.
Getting hearing aids as soon as possible helps slow this brain atrophy. Your brain gets re-trained. They can slow and even reverse cognitive decline according to numerous studies. As a matter of fact, one study conducted by AARP revealed that 80% of people had increased cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. You Need to Replace The Batteries
Those tiny button batteries can be somewhat challenging to deal with. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to lose power, like when you’re expecting a call from your doctor.
But straight forward solutions exist to reduce much of this perceived battery hassle. There are methods you can use to significantly extend battery life. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, currently you can buy rechargeable hearing aids. When you go to bed, simply place them on the charger. In the morning, just put them back on. There are also solar-powered hearing aid chargers so you can even recharge your hearing aid while out camping, fishing, or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
The technology of modern-day hearing aids is quite sophisticated. It’s much simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But it certainly takes a little time for your brain to adapt to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It steadily improves as you keep wearing your hearing aids. Throughout this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Anyone who’s been using a set of hearing aids for 6 months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. If you want to find out, contact us.
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html