Everyone who orders hearing aids looks forward to enjoying something different when they come in to pick them up. Some look forward to easier conversations. Others eagerly anticipate greater enjoyment of movies and television shows. Many people hope to once again enjoy their favorite music at a volume that doesn’t drive others out of the room. Your new hearing aids can help you with all of this and more, but only if you wear them. There are four common issues that new hearing aid users face, all of which you can overcome. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare for these issues so you don’t get discouraged and give up on your new hearing aids.
Discomfort
Modern hearing aids are small and quite comfortable compared to their historical counterparts. You may, however, still find yours a bit uncomfortable until you get used to wearing them. If you find your hearing aid truly bothersome, try wearing it for just a few hours at a time and gradually increase the length of time you wear it. If your ears get red, inflamed or sore, have the fit professionally adjusted. You can also visit http://www.miracle-ear.com/hearing-aids to learn more about custom fit options.
Background Noise
You may notice that you hear a lot of background noise when wearing your new hearing aids. This is normal to some extent. Your hearing likely faded over time, so you may now find yourself hearing things you weren’t before. If you’re hearing excessive or problematic amounts of background noise, ask for a hearing aid adjustment. Old style hearing aids simply amplified every sound, but newer hearing devices are smarter. With the help of a computer, your audiologist can help your hearing aid learn which sounds and frequencies to focus on so that background noise truly does fade into the background.
Battery Life
New users often become frustrated when their hearing aid batteries unexpectedly go dead. While your hearing aid provider can give you an average battery life, the exact life of the battery in your hearing aids depends on the units themselves, what settings you use and how often you wear them. It may feel as though your battery’s life is unpredictable at first, but you will learn how long your battery lasts. The easiest way to do so is to track your battery life on a calendar until a pattern emerges. Luckily, hearing aid batteries are small. Consider carrying extras with you until you figure out how often you’ll need to change them.
Phone Troubles
Talking on the phone is sometimes frustrating with new hearing aids. Your hearing aids may whistle, crackle or create feedback. Like other new hearing aid issues, however, you can overcome this problem with some time and patience. Talk to your friends and family members and schedule a call with someone when they have some time. While on the phone with them, experiment with different hearing aid settings and options. Some people have success simply holding the phone a certain way or at a certain angle. If the problem only occurs with your cell phone, talk to your audiologist. A different phone might work better for you, and he can suggest one more compatible with your specific hearing aids.
Your hearing aids may feel awkward at first, but soon they will feel natural and comfortable. If things don’t start to feel better in a few weeks, don’t struggle alone. Visit your audiologist to express your concerns and get help. You’ll be glad you did.
