So you finally went out and invested in a new pair of hearing aids. Nice job taking the first step to better your life. Modern hearing aids are newer technology and there are things you should learn to do and things that you should learn not to do. The list with hearing aids is not huge, but it’s an important one.
There are other things to consider besides simply caring for your hearing. The things you fail to do can make the devices less useful or slow down your adjustment time. Others in your shoes have made mistakes that you can learn from. These four things that you shouldn’t do need to be taken into consideration.
1. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear
You may be disregarding powerful features if you don’t take some time to learn the basics of how your hearing aid functions and discover the features that come with the brand. If you just turn on your hearing aids and put them in, more than likely they won’t work efficiently. Bluetooth and noise filters are some of the best features that you may also miss.
Conversely, if you simply slow it down somewhat and read the included documentation, you can figure out how to get the cleanest sound quality and practice the various adjustments that improve the hearing aid’s function.
You will already have a basic idea of what your hearing aids can do by the time you buy them. Now you need to learn how to use them which takes a little time.
2. Take Into Consideration The Adjustment Period
Your eyes need to adapt to the shape of the frame and the difference in lenses when you get a new pair of glasses. There is also an adaptation period with hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. That’s not how it works.
Your ears will require a couple days to adapt to what is a massive change, especially if you’ve never worn hearing aids before. Adjusting to new hearing aids as quickly as possible is all about consistency.
Once you’ve put them in leave them in. Often, new users feel an urge to keep removing them. That urge should be ignored. If you are uncomfortable, think about why.
- Is the noise too loud? Perhaps you should turn the volume down.
- Until you get used to it, take out the hearing aids when it gets uncomfortable. Go back to the retailer and have your hearing aids checked if they don’t really fit right.
- Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Go to a quiet place for a few minutes when you first put them in each day. Sit down with a friend and talk. Ask if you are talking too loud. By doing this, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
Don’t make a huge mistake and give up on your hearing aid. If you just forget about your hearing aids, shoving them in a drawer somewhere, they will do you no good.
3. Neglect Getting a Professional Fitting Upfront
There is a lot involved in finding the right hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. If you are not telling the truth about what you can and can’t hear at the hearing test at the audiologist, that’s a problem. You could wind up with hearing aids that aren’t right for your level or type of hearing loss. Some hearing aids amplify a high-frequency sound by design for instance. These are not the correct hearing aids for you if you can’t hear mid or low tones.
In many situations, hearing aids may not seem to fit your lifestyle. Bluetooth technology is a feature that you will want if you use a phone allot.
Make a note of when you wish your hearing aid did something different or when they aren’t functioning correctly while you are still in the trial period. You can go back and talk about those issues with your hearing care technician. You may need a different type of device or you might just need an adjustment.
Most retailers do free fittings so makes certain to find one of them when you buy your hearing aids. They won’t work right if they are too big for your ears.
4. Careless Maintenance
Often inadequate upkeep is simply a question of not understanding when you should or shouldn’t do something or how to do it. Take the time to learn how to take care of your hearing aids even if this isn’t your first rodeo.
After you buy your hearing aids, Take a close look at at the warning signs listed in the user manual such as using hair products with your hearing aids in or failing to turn them off when you take it out.
Don’t forget to study the maintenance guide and troubleshooting instructions.
Cleaning is an important part of Taking care of hearing aids, so make sure you understand all the hows and whys. Don’t quit at only cleaning the device, either. See what the manufacturer suggests for cleaning your ears, too.
If you want to get the most out of your hearing aids, it’s up to you. The process starts as you are shopping for them and proceeds when you start wearing them. Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to learn what kind of hearing aid will work best for you.