The majority of individuals who use hearing aids are happy with their experience: 91% of hearing aid users are happy with the hearing aid experience when talking one-on-one, based on a recent survey. 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.
These are some wonderfully positive figures for an intricate device like a hearing aid. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less satisfied with their hearing devices?
Let’s examine the good and the bad things individuals have to say about their hearing aid results. (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’re not as satisfied with it as you’d like to be, we’ll investigate what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
People who have had their ability to hear revived with a hearing aid often feel reconnected with individuals around them. They have more vitality. They engage and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less discouragement over their failure to hear. They feel less exhausted because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what people are saying.
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
Contemporary hearing aids are digital. They don’t only make sounds louder, they have many settings to help you hear best in various places. Because of this, some individuals may be dissatisfied when they’re in a loud 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 find out how to use my hearing aid on my own
A typical misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. People may leave the office with the misunderstanding that the sound won’t get any better, which could prompt them not to wear them.
Hearing is more complex than you may realize. Modern Hearing aids incorporate settings that target many degrees and types of hearing loss.
When you are 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 a variety of settings.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can help you get a better knowledge of how your functions work and we can likely do some fine-tuning for you.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Can you recall what gentle laughter or a soft whisper sounds like? What about soft music, birds singing, wind chimes, or the wind? Maybe you can’t recollect what kids playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the delicate breathing of your significant other.
Hearing these little subtle sounds that were forgotten about is unexpectedly pleasant according to many people who get hearing aids. It means a whole lot to have these sounds restored, it allows them to once more experience the fullness and magnificence of the world around them.
5. Getting used to my new hearing aid took some getting used to.
You probably weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you might like to use them all the time. Similarly, a new watch or a new hat might take a little time to get accustomed to.
When something like a hearing aid is initially put in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel discomfort. Eventually, when the body recognizes that it’s not threatened, it will become used to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I would have invested in my hearing aids sooner
Individuals would never go back to having hearing loss if they were patient and took the time to become accustomed to them. They wouldn’t trade all the advantages of hearing, and they frequently regret putting off for so long to invest in a hearing aid.
People now wearing them who had trouble initially, say they’re so thankful they persevered. It’s made their life 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 the time will be worth it. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, talk with us about it. We can typically 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.