What Hearing Aids Are Actually Like

Two women talking about what hearing aids are really like while having coffee at a table.

Ever ask yourself “what would it truly be like to use hearing aids”? What would your good friend say if you asked candid questions about what hearing aids sound like, what it feels like, and how they actually feel about using one? If you truly want to know what hearing aids are like, you should come in for a demonstration, but for now, continue reading for a summary of what you can expect.

1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Get Feedback

No, not the type you may get on a work evaluation. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other causing a high-pitched whistling sound. It produces a sound loop that even modern speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know what to do with.

We’ve all heard this type of feedback right before someone begins talking into a microphone.

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 eliminated, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.

2. Conversations Are Easier to Follow in a Noisy Setting

Going to a restaurant with the family can feel like eating dinner by yourself if you have neglected hearing loss. It’s virtually impossible to keep up with the conversations. Most of the night, you may end up just nodding and smiling.

But hearing aids nowadays have some really advanced technology that can cancel out background noise. They bring the voices of your family and the wait staff into crystal clarity.

3. At Times it Gets a Little Sticky

Your body has a way of telling you when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will make saliva if you eat something too spicy. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you generate tears to wash your eye. Your ears have their own way of removing a nuisance.

Earwax production.

Because of this, earwax buildup can occasionally be a problem for people who use hearing aids. Luckily, it’s only wax and it’s not a big deal to clean the hearing aids. (We’ll teach you how.)

Once you’re finished the cleaning you’re quickly back to good hearing.

4. There Are Benefits For Your Brain

This one may surprise you. When a person develops hearing loss, it very slowly begins to impact brain function if they don’t have it treated quickly.

Accurately understanding what people are saying is one of the first things to go. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become challenging.

This brain atrophy can be slowed by getting hearing aids sooner than later. They re-train your brain. Studies show that they can decrease mental decline and even reverse it. As a matter of fact, one study reported by AARP revealed that 80% of people had improved cognitive function after managing their hearing loss.

5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced

Many people simply hate dealing with those tiny button batteries. And these batteries seem to choose the worst time to lose power, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.

But straight forward solutions exist to decrease much of this perceived battery hassle. You can significantly extend battery life by implementing the right strategies. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.

Or, you can buy a pair of rechargeable hearing aids which are available now. When you go to bed, simply place them on the charger. Put it back on in the morning. There are also solar-powered hearing aid docks so you can even recharge your hearing aid while out fishing. camping, or hiking.

6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve

Today, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It isn’t as hard as learning to use a new computer. But adjusting to your new hearing aids will definitely take a little time.

It progressively gets better as you continue to wear your hearing aids. During this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.

People who have stayed the course and used their hearing aids for six months or more usually will say it’s all worth it.

Only actually using hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. If you want to figure it out, contact us.



References

https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.