The majority of individuals who use hearing aids are happy with their experience: Based upon one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who use hearing aids are satisfied with their results. When processing results with specific activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the supermarket, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
These are some wonderfully 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?
Individuals with hearing aids have some good and some bad things to say about them. (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 help you love it even more. If you aren’t as satisfied with it as wish you were, we’ll discover what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. Their energy levels are increased. They feel like they can better participate and stay active.
They find their days filled with less discouragement over their inability to hear. They feel less tired because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what others are saying.
For many people, a hearing aid allows them to feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Hearing aids today are digital. They don’t simply make sounds louder, they have lots of settings to help you hear best in various places. 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 a little practice getting used to them.
3. I couldn’t learn how to use my hearing aid by myself
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as many people may think. People might leave the office with the misconception that the sound won’t get any better, which could prompt them not to use them.
You might not even recognize how complex hearing loss can be. Hearing aids are designed to target various types and levels of hearing loss by changing how sound enters the ear.
Our experienced hearing specialists will complete a hearing aid fitting in the office. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by talking with a friend initially.
Talk with us if you’re still having trouble after a few weeks. We can likely make adjustments or help you better understand how the hearing aid works in settings where you’re having difficulty.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing out on without healthy hearing
Do you recall what a playful whisper sounds like? What about gentle laughter? How about the wind, wind chimes, singing birds, or soft music? Maybe you can’t recall what children playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the gentle breathing of your significant other.
Many people who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a nice surprise to suddenly hear these little things that they had forgotten about. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it lets them again experience the fullness and magnificence of the world around them.
5. It took some time to get accustomed to my hearing aids
You probably weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a baby. But now, of course, you’re completely comfortable with them. It may take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
When something like a hearing aid is first put in your ear canal, your body is made to initially feel discomfort. But pretty soon, the body realizes there’s no threat and accepts the device as an extension of the body.
6. I wish I would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
Individuals who made the effort to get used to their hearing aids would never go back. They wouldn’t give up all the advantages of hearing, and they often regret waiting so long to invest in a hearing aid.
People who were patient and stuck with it were happy that they did. Their lives have become a great deal more enriched.
Focus on improved hearing
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aid, don’t quit. It’s worth the effort and time. It will become automatic before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, consult us about it. We can often offer advice on how to get used to your hearing aids faster. The patience is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.
