Ever ask yourself “what would it actually be like to use hearing aids”? How does a hearing aid feel when you have one on, what does it 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 should come in for a demonstration, but for now, keep reading for an explanation of what you can expect.
1. Hearing Aids Sometimes Have Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when somebody tells you how what they think about your results. “Feedback “ is a whistling sound that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. Even modern microphone and speaker systems can have a sound loop created.
They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal speaks.
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 continues happening.
Some advanced hearing aids have a feedback cancellation system that identifies feedback and stops it in its tracks.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Hear in a Loud Setting
If you have untreated hearing loss, eating dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can seem like you’re eating by yourself. It’s almost impossible to follow the conversations. Most of the evening, you might find yourself just nodding and smiling.
But today’s hearing aids have the advanced noise blocking capability for background sound. The voices of your family and the wait staff become crystal clear.
3. Sometimes it Gets a Bit 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. If you get an eyelash in your eye, you generate tears to flush your eye. Your ears have their own way of removing a nuisance.
Earwax production.
So it’s hardly surprising that people who wear hearing aids often get to deal with the buildup of earwax. It’s only wax, fortunately, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We’ll teach you how.)
Then you’ll simply put that hearing aid back in and begin enjoying your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
This one might surprise you. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will slowly affect cognitive function as it progresses.
One of the first things you lose is the ability to comprehend what people are saying. Problem solving, learning new things, and memory will then become a big challenge.
Getting hearing aids sooner than later helps slow this brain atrophy. They re-train your brain. They can decrease and even reverse mental decline according to many studies. In fact, 80% of individuals had increased mental function, according to research carried out by the AARP, after using hearing aids to manage their hearing loss.
5. You Have to Replace The Batteries
Those little button batteries can be somewhat challenging to deal with. And they seem to run out of juice at the worst times, like when you’re about to find out “whodunnit” in a mystery movie, or just as your friend is telling you the juicy details of a story.
But most of the perceived difficulties with these batteries can be easily solved. There are methods you can use to significantly extend battery life. The batteries are small and inexpensive, so it’s easy to carry an extra set in your wallet.
Or, currently you can buy hearing aids that are rechargeable. Just put it on the charger when you go to bed. In the morning, simply put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered charging docs so you can charge them even if you are camping or hiking.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
Today, hearing aids have advanced technology. It’s much easier 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.
The longer and more regularly you wear hearing aids the better it gets. Try to be patient with yourself and your hearing aids during this transition.
People who have stayed the course and worn their hearing aids for six months or more typically will say it’s all worth it.
Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. Isn’t it time to learn for yourself?
References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html