The majority of individuals who use hearing aids are happy with their results: Based upon one recent survey, when speaking one-on-one, 91% of people who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience. When talking about specific activities, 85% were satisfied in a group environment and watching TV, 78% while in the store, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
These are some spectacularly positive figures for a complex device such as a hearing aid. But we have to question, what are the other 9%, 15%, and 25% experiencing? What makes them less satisfied with their hearing devices?
Let’s explore the good and the bad things individuals have to say about their hearing aid results. (The good news, the majority of the bad things can be easily fixed.)
For people who are happy with their hearing aids, this article will make you even happier. And for individuals who are less happy, this article should help you address your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
People who have had their ability to hear restored with a hearing aid often feel reconnected with individuals around them. Their energy levels are higher. They feel like they can better engage and remain active.
They find their days filled with less frustration over their inability to hear. They feel less exhausted because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what others are saying.
For many individuals, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Hearing aids nowadays are digital. They have many advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than simply making everything louder. That’s why people may be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
Hearing aids aren’t difficult to learn to use. But they do take some practice getting used to them.
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. People might leave the office with the mistake that the sound can’t get any better, which could prompt them not to use them.
You might not even recognize how complex hearing loss is. Hearing aids are designed to manage numerous types and levels of hearing loss by transforming how sound enters the ear.
Our qualified hearing specialists will perform a hearing aid fitting in the office. It’s strongly suggested that you practice using your hearing aid by chatting with a friend initially.
If it still doesn’t sound good after a couple of weeks, talk to us. We can help you have a better knowledge of how your settings work and we can likely do some fine-tuning for you.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing without complete hearing
Do you remember what a subtle whisper sounds like? What 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 children playing outside.
Many people who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a pleasant surprise to suddenly hear these small things that they had forgotten about. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it lets them once more experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. Getting used to my new hearing aid took some getting accustomed to.
You probably weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you may like to wear them all the time. Similarly, a new watch or a new hat might take a little time to get used to.
Our bodies are designed to feel discomfort when something feels out of place, like a hearing aid going into your outer ear. But within a short time, the body recognizes there’s no threat and welcomes the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to invest in my hearing aid
Individuals would never go back to having hearing loss if they were persistent and took the time to get used to them. They normally regret putting off for so long and they would never give up the advantages of being able to hear.
Individuals who were patient and preserved were glad that they did. It’s made their life a whole lot more enriched.
Focus on improved hearing
Be patient and don’t give up, even if you aren’t yet having the best experience. The effort and the time will be worth it. Before long, using the hearing aid will become automatic.
Talk to us today about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can help you adjust your hearing aids in a faster and more efficient way. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.
