Ever ask yourself “what would it actually be like to use hearing aids”? What would your best friend say if you asked candid questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they actually feel about using one? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you really want to understand, come in for a demo.
1. At Times You Get Feedback
This isn’t the type of feedback that you get when somebody tells you how what they think about your performance. When a microphone and a speaker detect each other’s signal, they interfere with each other causing a high-pitched screeching sound. Even modern microphone and speaker systems can have sound loops created.
They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal starts talking.
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 removed, in some more sophisticated hearing aids, by a built-in feedback cancellation system.
2. Conversations Are Easier to Hear in a Loud Setting
If you have untreated hearing loss, having dinner with your family or friends in a noisy restaurant can feel like you’re eating alone. It’s almost impossible to keep up with the conversations. Most of the night, you may find yourself just nodding and smiling.
But hearing aids nowadays have some pretty sophisticated technology that can drown out background noise. They bring the voices of your children and the servers into crystal clearness.
3. At Times it Gets a Little Sticky
Your body has a way of letting you know when something shouldn’t be there. If you eat something overly spicy hot, you secrete more saliva to wash it out. You will make tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears also possess a defense system of their own.
Earwax production.
So it’s no surprise that people who wear hearing aids often get to deal with the buildup of earwax. It’s just wax, fortunately, so cleaning it isn’t an issue. (We’ll show you how.)
Then you’ll just put that hearing aid back in and begin relishing your hearing again.
4. Your Brain Will Also Get The Benefit
You may be surprised by this one. When someone develops hearing loss, it very slowly begins to affect cognitive function if they don’t have it treated quickly.
Fully understanding what people are saying is one of the first things you lose. Then memory, learning new things, and problem-solving become a difficulty.
Getting hearing aids as soon as possible helps stop this brain atrophy. Your brain gets re-trained. They can decrease and even reverse cognitive decline according to many studies. As a matter of fact, one study reported by AARP showed that 80% of individuals had improved cognitive function after managing their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Those tiny button batteries can be a little difficult to deal with. And they seem to die 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 particulars of a story.
But straight forward solutions exist to alleviate much of this perceived battery hassle. You can substantially increase battery life by using the right strategies. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, today you can purchase rechargeable hearing aids. At night, simply place them on the charging unit. In the morning, simply put them back on. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered charging docs so they will be available to you even if you are hiking or camping.
6. You Will Have a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have advanced technology. It’s a lot simpler than learning to use a computer for the first time. But getting used to your new hearing aids will certainly take a little time.
The longer and more routinely you use hearing aids the better it gets. Try to be patient with yourself and your hearing aids throughout this transition.
Anyone who’s been wearing a set of hearing aids for 6 months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
This is what it’s actually like to use hearing aids. If you want to figure it out, contact us.
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html
