The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids are satisfied 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 analyzing results with particular activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the grocery store, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
These are some spectacularly positive figures for a complex device such as a hearing aid. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less happy with their hearing devices?
People with hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (The good news, the majority of the bad stuff can be easily fixed.)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will make you love it even more. And for people who are less excited, this article should help you deal with your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s frequently a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. Their energy levels are increased. They feel like they can better participate and remain active.
Their failure to hear isn’t so discouraging anymore. Because they don’t need to struggle to hear what people are saying, they feel less exhausted.
People are typically happiest when they feel connected with others and their world, and for many wearing a hearing aid makes this possible.
2. Initially, 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 a variety of places. Because of this, some individuals may be dissatisfied when they’re in a loud environment like a restaurant or talking on the phone but quite pleased when in a one-on-one conversation.
It isn’t hard to learn to use a hearing aid. But getting used to them will take a bit of practice.
3. I couldn’t find out how to use my hearing aid by myself
A common confusion about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. If it doesn’t sound great when they leave the office they might think that this is as good as it gets and choose not to wear the hearing aid.
Hearing is more complex than you might recognize. Hearing aids are developed to target numerous types and levels of hearing loss by adjusting how sound goes into the ear.
When you’re in the office, we will do a total 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.
If it still doesn’t sound good after a couple of weeks, talk to us. We can help you get a better comprehension of how your functions work and we can most likely do some fine-tuning for you.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Do you recall what a subtle whisper sounds like? How about gentle laughter? How about soft music, singing birds, wind chimes, or the wind? Perhaps you’ve forgotten how it makes you feel to hear the soft breath of a significant other sitting near you or youngsters playing outside.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid share that it’s a nice surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. It means a whole lot to have these sounds restored, it lets them 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. But now, of course, you’re completely comfortable with them. It may 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 put in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel discomfort. Eventually, when the body understands 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
People who took the time to get used to their hearing aids would not go back. They normally regret putting off for so long and they would never give up the benefits of healthy hearing.
Individuals who had patience and stuck with it were happy that they did. Their lives have become so much more enriched.
Focus on improved hearing
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. It’s worth the effort and time. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, talk with us about it. We can help you fine-tune your hearing aids in a faster and more efficient way. Experiencing all that life has to provide with restored hearing is worth the adjustment.