Ever wish you could get the inside scoop on what hearing aids are actually like? What would your good friend say if you asked honest questions about what it sounds like, what it feels like, and how they really feel about wearing one? Here’s a description of what hearing aids are like, but if you truly want to know, come see us for a demonstration.
1. At Times You Get Feedback
No, not the type you may receive on a work evaluation. “Feedback “ is a whistling noise that a speaker makes when its microphone picks up the sound produced by the speaker. It creates a sound loop that even advanced speakers like those in hearing aids don’t know how to handle.
They might squeal like a speaker in the school auditorium just before the principal starts talking.
While this might sound terrible, and it is unpleasant, it is rare when a hearing aid is correctly maintained. If you’re encountering it, the earmold may not be properly fitted or you need to replace it.
Feedback can be removed, in some more advanced hearing aids, by a built-in feedback suppression system.
2. You Can Follow Conversations in a Loud Restaurant
Going to a restaurant with the family can feel like eating dinner by yourself if you have neglected hearing loss. Conversations are nearly impossible to keep up with. Most of the night, you may end up just nodding and smiling.
But hearing aids today have some really advanced technology that can cancel out background noise. They bring the voices of your family and the servers into crystal clearness.
3. It Gets a Bit Sticky Sometimes
Your body has a way of letting you know when something shouldn’t be there. Your body will produce saliva if you eat something too spicy. You will produce tears if something gets in your eye. Your ears also have a defense system of their own.
Earwax production.
So it’s hardly surprising that those who wear hearing aids frequently get to manage wax buildup. Luckily, it’s only wax and it’s not a problem to clean the hearing aids. (We can help you learn how.)
Then you’ll simply put that hearing aid back in and start relishing your hearing again.
4. There Are Advantages For Your Brain
You might be surprised by this one. If somebody begins developing hearing loss it will gradually affect brain function as it progresses.
Accurately understanding what people are saying is one of the first things you lose. Then memory, learning new things, and solving problems become a challenge.
This brain atrophy can be stopped in its tracks by using hearing aids as soon as you can. Your brain gets re-trained. They can decrease and even reverse mental decline according to many studies. In fact, one study reported by AARP showed that 80% of people had improved cognitive function after treating their hearing loss.
5. The Batteries Have to be Replaced
Those little button batteries can be somewhat difficult to manage. And these batteries seem to pick the worst time to die, like when you’re waiting for a call from your doctor.
But straight forward solutions exist to reduce much of this perceived battery hassle. You can greatly increase battery life by using the correct strategies. It’s not hard to bring an extra set because these batteries are inexpensive and small.
Or, you can purchase a pair of rechargeable hearing aids which are available nowadays. At night, just place them on the charging unit. Put it back on in the morning. You can even get some hearing aids that have solar-powered charging docs so they will be available to you even if you are hiking or camping.
6. You Will Experience a Learning Curve
Nowadays, hearing aids have sophisticated technology. It isn’t as hard as learning to operate a new computer. But it definitely takes a little time for your brain to adjust to new hearing aids and to get the settings right.
It progressively gets better as you continue to wear your hearing aids. During this adjustment time, try to be patient with yourself and your new hearing aids.
Anybody who’s been using a pair of hearing aids for six months or more will tell you that it’s worth it.
Only actually wearing hearing aids can give you the experiencing of what they’re really like. Isn’t it time to find out for yourself?
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References
https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-07-2013/hearing-loss-linked-to-dementia.html