Ever ask yourself “what would it really be like to use hearing aids”? What would your best friend say if you asked honest questions about what hearing aids sound like, what it feels like, and how they really feel about using one? If you really want to know what hearing aids are like, you need to come in for a demonstration, but for now, keep reading for a description of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Occasionally Have Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when someone tells you how they feel about your results. When a microphone and a speaker pick up each other’s signal, they interfere with each other resulting in a high-pitched whistling sound. It causes a sound loop that even modern speakers like the ones in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
They may squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium right before the principal starts talking.
While this may sound terrible, and it is unpleasant, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. You may need to re-fit or replace the earmolds if this continues happening.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback cancellation system that recognizes feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. You Can Follow Conversations in a Noisy Restaurant
Eating dinner out with the family can seem like eating dinner alone if you have neglected hearing loss. It’s virtually impossible to follow the conversations. Most of the night, you might end up just nodding and smiling.
But hearing aids today have some pretty advanced technology that can cancel out background noise. The voices of your family and the restaurant staff become crystal clear.
3. Sometimes it Gets a Little Sticky
When something isn’t right, your body has a way of reacting to it. Your body will create saliva if you eat something too spicy. You will make tears if something gets into your eye. Your ears also possess a defense system of their own.
Earwax production.
So it’s hardly surprising that those who wear hearing aids often get to deal with the buildup of earwax. It’s just wax, luckily, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We can help you learn how.)
Then you’ll simply put that hearing aid back in and begin relishing your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You might be surprised by this one. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will slowly impact cognitive function as it progresses.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend what people are saying. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become challenging.
Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps stop this brain atrophy. They re-train your brain. Studies show that they can slow down cognitive decline and even reverse it. In fact, 80% of people had improved cognitive function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after wearing hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Need to be Replaced
Many individuals simply hate managing those little button batteries. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to lose power, like when you’re expecting a call from your doctor.
But simple solutions exist to alleviate much of this perceived battery trouble. There are methods you can use to greatly extend battery life. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, nowadays you can purchase hearing aids that are rechargeable. 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 camping, fishing, or hiking.
6. There’s a Learning Curve
The technology of modern hearing aids is rather advanced. 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 adjust to new hearing aids and to get the configurations right.
The longer and more regularly you use hearing aids the better it gets. Throughout this adjustment period, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Individuals who have stayed the course and worn their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
This is what it’s really like to use hearing aids. Isn’t it time to find out for yourself?
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html