So you finally went out and bought a new pair of hearing aids. Nice job taking the first step to better your quality of life. Modern hearing aids are newer technology and there are things you should learn to do and things that you should learn not to do. The list with hearing aids is not long, but it’s a significant one.
Caring for your hearing isn’t the only thing to consider. The things you fail to do will make the devices less useful or slow your adjustment time. Others in your shoes have made mistakes that you can learn from. These four things that you shouldn’t do need to be taken into consideration.
1. Putting in Your Hearing Aids Right After You Buy Them
Without spending some time to learn the basics of how your hearing aids work and exploring the features that come with the brand you purchased you might be overlooking powerful features. If you just turn on your hearing aids and put them in, it’s likely they won’t work efficiently. You may also lose out on the best features such as Bluetooth or noise filters.
You can practice adjusting the hearing aid and determine how to get the best sound quality by slowing down a bit and reading the user manual.
When you purchase your new hearing aids you will have a basic idea of what they can do. It will take a bit more time but you have to learn how to use them properly.
2. Disregard the Adjustment Factor
Whenever you get a new pair of glasses, your eyes need time to adapt to the change in the lenses or the shape of the frame. The same is true for hearing aids. The sound quality is not just magically enjoyed by new hearing aid owners. That’s not how it works.
There is an adjustment period your ears will need if you are new to wearing hearing aids. Adapting to your new hearing aids quickly is all about consistency.
Put them in and don’t keep taking them out. Frequently, new users feel an urge to keep taking them out. That urge should be resisted. If you are not comfortable, think about why.
- Until you get used to it, take out the hearing aids when it gets uncomfortable. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids checked if they don’t really fit properly..
- Is the audio too loud? Perhaps you need to turn down the volume.
- Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Spend a few minutes in a quiet place each day when you first put them in. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask them if you are talking too loud. By doing this, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
The worst mistake you can make is to give up. Your hearing aids will do you no good shoved in a drawer and forgotten.
3. Have the Hearing Aid Fitted When You First Get it
There is a lot involved in getting the proper hearing aids, and it begins before you even start looking. If you are not honest about what you can and can’t hear at the hearing test at the audiologist, that’s an issue. You may end up with hearing aids that aren’t right for your level or type of hearing loss. For example, some hearing aids by design amplify a high-frequency sound. If your hearing loss interferes with your ability to hear mid-range or low tones, the hearing aids won’t work correctly for you.
In some situations, hearing aids might not really fit your lifestyle. Perhaps you spend two-thirds of your day talking on the phone, so you will want hearing aids with Bluetooth technology.
Take note of when you think your hearing aids aren’t working correctly or you wish they did something different when you’re still in the trial period. You can return to the hearing care technician and discuss those problems. It could just take an adjustment, or perhaps you need a different type of device.
Most retailers do free fittings so be certain to find one of them when you get your hearing aids. They won’t work right if they are too big for your ears.
4. Poor Maintenance
Often inadequate maintenance is simply a question of not knowing when you should or shouldn’t do something or how to do it. Even if you’ve had hearing aids before you have to take the time to learn how to take care of your new device.
There are some things you don’t want to do when you have your hearing aids in like using hair products when you have them in or removing them without turning them off so consult your documentation.
Don’t forget to read the maintenance guide and troubleshooting instructions.
Understand precisely how to clean your hearing aids since that’s a big part of correct maintenance. The hearing aid is not the only thing that needs to be cleaned. See what the manufacturer advises for cleaning your ears, too.
It’s up to you to ensure you get the most out of your new hearing aids. It’s a continuing process from shopping to use. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist to learn what kind of hearing aid will work best for you.