So you finally went out and bought a new pair of hearing aids. Great job taking the first step to enhance your quality of life. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology such as modern hearing aids. With hearing aids the list is important even though it’s not very long.
There are other considerations besides simply caring for your hearing. Your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do and your device will be less effective. It’s time to learn from the mistakes other people in your shoes have made; consider these four things you shouldn’t do with those new hearing aids.
1. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear
You could be ignoring powerful features if you don’t put in the time to understand the basics of how your hearing aid works and explore the features that come with the brand. It’s likely that if you just turn your new device on and put them right in, they won’t work efficiently for you. You may also miss out on the best features such as Bluetooth and noise filters.
You can practice adjusting the hearing aid and determine how to obtain the best sound quality by taking your time and reading the documentation.
you will have a general concept of what the hearing aids can accomplish when you purchase them. Now you need to figure out how to use them which takes a little patients.
2. It Takes Time For Your Ears to Adjust
Whenever you get a new pair of glasses, your eyes require time to adjust to the difference in the lenses or the shape of the frame. The same is true for hearing aids. Many new hearing aid owners think they will automatically enjoy this magical new sound quality. That’s an unrealistic expectation.
There is an adaptation period your ears will require if you’re new to wearing hearing aids. Consistency is the secret to adjusting quickly to new hearing aids.
Put them in your ear and leave them in place. At first, you might have to fight the need to remove them every few minutes. Ask yourself why you might be uncomfortable.
- Are you overwhelmed by the background noise? Spend a few minutes in a quiet place each day when you first put them in. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask if you are talking too loud. By doing this, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
- If it is uncomfortable, take the hearing aid out for short intervals until you get used to it. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids checked if they don’t really fit right..
- Is the noise too loud? Maybe you should turn down the volume.
Giving up is the worst mistake you can make. If you shove your hearing aids in a drawer and forget about them, they won’t do you any good.
3. Neglect Getting a Professional Fitting Upfront
There is a lot involved in getting the correct hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. When you are at the audiologist, if you are not honest about what you can and can’t hear during the test, that’s an issue. Hearing aids that aren’t The right ones for your type or level of hearing loss can be the result. For example, some hearing aids by design pick up a high-frequency sound. These are not the correct hearing aids for you if you don’t hear mid or low tones.
In many situations, hearing aids may not seem to fit your lifestyle. Bluetooth technology is a feature that you will want if you use a phone allot.
While you are still in the trial period for your new hearing aids, take note of the times where you wanted your hearing aids to do something different or when it felt like they didn’t work correctly. Your hearing care technician can discuss that with you if you take them back. It could just take an adjustment, or maybe you need a different type of device.
When you get your hearing aids be sure to go to a retailer that does free fittings. If they’re too big for your ears they won’t function properly.
4. Poor Maintenance
Successful upkeep of your hearing aids begins with knowing how and when to do it. Take the time to understand how to take care of your new device even if you’ve worn hearing aids in the past.
There are things you shouldn’t do with your hearing aids in such as using hair products with them in or removing them without turning them off so read your user manual.
Also, read the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.
Understand precisely how to clean your hearing aids because that’s a big part of effective maintenance. The hearing aid is not the only thing that requires cleaning. See what the manufacturer suggests for cleaning your ears, too.
It’s up to you to ensure you get the most from your new hearing aids. The process starts as you are shopping for them and proceeds when you start wearing them. Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to learn what type of hearing aid will best fit your needs.
