The majority of people who use hearing aids are happy with their experience: According to one recent survey, when speaking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience. When talking about specific activities, 85% were satisfied in a group environment and watching TV, 78% while in the store, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some extremely positive results. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s going on with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less satisfied with their hearing devices?
People who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (We can easily fix most of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
For people who are happy with their hearing aids, this article will make you even more happy. If you’re not as happy with it as you’d like to be, we’ll explore what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. They have more energy. They feel like they can better participate and stay active.
Their failure to hear isn’t as discouraging anymore. Because they don’t need to struggle to hear what people are saying, they feel less tired.
For many individuals, 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 nowadays are digital. They have lots of advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than simply making everything louder. That’s why people might be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
It isn’t hard to learn to use a hearing aid. But they do take some practice getting used to them.
3. I needed help learning how to use my hearing aid
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as some individuals might think. If it doesn’t sound great when they first get home they may get the misconception that this is as good as it gets and decide it’s easier not to wear the hearing aid.
You might not even understand how complex hearing loss can be. Modern Hearing aids include settings that target many degrees and types of hearing loss.
When you are in the office, we will do a thorough hearing aid fitting. When you get home, we suggest that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in various settings.
If it still doesn’t sound great after a couple of weeks, consult us. We can most likely make adjustments or help you better comprehend how the hearing aid works in environments where you’re having trouble.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Do you recall what a playful whisper sounds like? How about gentle laughter? What about the wind, wind chimes, singing birds, or soft music? Perhaps you can’t remember what children playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the gentle breathing of your significant other.
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 whole brilliance of the world around can once again be experienced by individuals who get hearing aids.
5. It took some time to get accustomed to my hearing aids
When you were a tot and had to put on shoes for the first time, you likely thought that was awkward. Now you might prefer to wear them all the time. It might take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
When something like a hearing aid is first placed in your ear canal, your body is designed to initially feel discomfort. But pretty soon, the body realizes there’s no threat and welcomes the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t put off so long to purchase my hearing aid
Individuals who made the effort to get used to their hearing aids would not go back. They usually regret putting off for so long and they would never trade the advantages of being able to hear.
Individuals who were patient and stuck with it were thankful that they did. It’s made their life a whole lot more enriched.
Pay attention to improved hearing
If you aren’t having the best 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, talk to us about it. We can help you adjust your hearing aids in a faster and more effective way. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.
