Most people are happy with their hearing aids: 91% of hearing aid wearers are satisfied with the hearing aid experience when speaking one-on-one, according to a recent survey. When processing results with specific 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 like a hearing aid. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less satisfied with their hearing devices?
Let’s examine the good and the bad things individuals have to say about their hearing aid experience. (We can easily fix the majority of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
If you love your hearing aid, this article will make you love it even more. And for individuals who are less thrilled, this article should help you deal with your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. 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 failure to hear. Because they don’t have to work as hard to hear what people are saying, they feel less exhausted.
For many people, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. They may sound distorted initially
Modern hearing aids are digital. They don’t just make sounds louder, they have lots of settings to help you hear better in a variety of places. Because of this, some individuals might be dissatisfied when they’re in a loud setting like a restaurant or talking on the phone but really satisfied when in a one-on-one conversation.
Hearing aids aren’t complicated to learn to use. But they do take some practice getting used to them.
3. I needed help finding out how to use my hearing aid
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as some individuals might think. If it doesn’t sound good when they first get home 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 know. Hearing aids are designed to manage numerous types and degrees of hearing loss by adjusting the way sound goes into the ear.
When you are in the office, we will do a thorough hearing aid fitting. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by chatting with a friend initially.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a few weeks. We can very likely make modifications or help you better understand how the hearing aid works in environments where you’re having difficulty.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing without complete hearing
Can you recollect what gentle laughter or a delicate whisper sounds like? How about soft music, birds singing, wind chimes, or the wind? Perhaps you’ve forgotten what it’s like to hear the gentle breath of a significant other sitting near you or youngsters playing outside.
Many individuals who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a nice surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. Having these sounds restored means the whole magnificence of the world around can once again be experienced by people who get hearing aids.
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. Now you might like to wear them all the time. It might take time to become accustomed to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
When something like a hearing aid is initially placed in your ear canal, your body is designed to initially feel uncomfortable. Eventually, when the body recognizes that it’s not threatened, it will become accustomed to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
Individuals would never go back to having hearing loss if they were persistent and took the time to become accustomed to them. They wouldn’t give up all the advantages of hearing, and they frequently regret waiting so long to invest in a hearing aid.
Of those now wearing them who had trouble initially, say they’re so thankful they persevered. It’s made their life a whole lot more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you’re not having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t quit. The effort and time will be worth it. It will become second nature before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, talk to us about it. We can help you fine-tune your hearing aids in a faster and more effective way. The patience is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.