Having a pair of hearing aids that you don’t like wearing can be a disheartening experience for people with hearing loss.
There are many reasons why a person might not like their hearing aids, but the good news is that there are many practical tips to improve your user experience and enjoy the benefits of your device.
Risks of Not Using Hearing Aids
Research has shown that people decide not to wear their hearing aids for reasons including discomfort, stigmatization and unreadiness due to a lack of education, among others. Whatever the reasons for not using your device, leaving your hearing loss untreated can lead to negative consequences, such as:
- Worsening hearing loss
- Higher levels of anxiety and depression
- Increased risk of balance issues
- Social isolation
- Increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia
- Poorer job performance
Common Problems Users Have With Their Hearing Aids
- Hearing aids feel uncomfortable. It can take time to adjust to the feeling of having something in your ear, and most users eventually get used to it. However, if they are causing significant discomfort and/or pain, you should inform your audiologist immediately. Your device likely just needs to be adjusted to fit better in your ear. It’s also possible that you might be struggling with inserting your hearing aids correctly. Learning how to do this also takes some time. Ask your provider for help to make sure you know how to do it right.
- Sounds are too loud. Many people with hearing loss have the condition for years before getting hearing aids. When they first put their device on, they pick up on sounds they probably haven’t heard in some time. This can be especially overwhelming in louder environments with lots of background noise, such as The Optimist. Starting off using your device in quieter environments and wearing your hearing aids consistently can help you adjust to your new way of hearing quicker. If you continue not to like the way things sound, your audiologist can readjust your settings or add a noise reduction program to your settings that you can switch to when you’re in a noisier place.
- Voice sounds weird. Many people complain that their voice sounds different when they use hearing aids. This is because you are hearing through a microphone as well as your own ears. This is another issue that may just need time and consistent wearing to resolve or can be improved by a visit to your audiologist.
Bottom Line
It takes time to adjust to a new pair of hearing aids. Consistent, regular use will often help acclimate you to your device sooner than infrequent wearing. If your issues are causing you not to wear your hearing aids, contact your provider to see what adjustments can be made to improve your experience.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call Advanced Hearing today.