Finally, you invested in some hearing aids. Taking the first step to enhance your Quality of life is a great accomplishment. 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 huge, but it’s a significant one.
Taking care of your hearing isn’t the only thing to consider. The things you fail to do will make the hearing aid less useful or slow down your adjustment time. It’s time to learn from the mistakes others in your shoes have made; contemplate these four things you shouldn’t do with those new hearing aids.
1. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear
Without taking the 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 ignoring powerful features. If you simply turn on your hearing aids and start wearing them, it’s likely they won’t work effectively. Bluetooth and noise filters are a few of the best features that you may also ignore.
You can work on fine-tuning the hearing aid and determine how to obtain the best sound quality by being patient and reading the documentation.
When you buy your new hearing aids you will have a basic idea of what they can do. It will take a bit more time but you need to learn how to use them properly.
2. Disregard the Adjustment Factor
Your eyes need to adapt to the change in the lenses and the shape of the frame when you get new glasses. This is also true for hearing aids. The sound quality is not just magically enjoyed by new hearing aid owners. That’s an unrealistic expectation.
There is an adjustment period your ears will require if you are new to hearing aids. Quick adaptation depends on consistent use.
Once you’ve put them in leave them in. You need to fight the urge to keep taking them out. If you are not comfortable, think about why.
- Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Every day when you first put them in you should go to a quiet place for a few minutes. Sit with a friend and talk. Ask if you are talking too loud. This will help you make adjustments to balance out the sound.
- Is the sound too loud? Maybe you should turn down the volume.
- Until you get used to it, take the hearing aid out when it gets uncomfortable. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids inspected if they don’t really fit properly..
Don’t make a big mistake and give up on your hearing aid. If you throw your hearing aids in a drawer and forget about them, they won’t do you any good.
3. Fail to Get a Professional Fitting Upfront
Getting the right hearing aids begins before you start actually shopping and there is a lot to it. While at your hearing exam at the audiologist, it’s important to be honest about what you can and can’t hear. You might end up with hearing aids that aren’t the correct ones for your level or type of hearing loss. For instance, some hearing aids by design amplify a high-frequency sound. If your hearing loss impedes your ability to hear mid-range or low sounds, the hearing aids won’t work correctly for you.
Your lifestyle, in certain cases may not seem well compatible with hearing aids. Bluetooth technology is a feature that you will need if you use a phone allot.
Make a note of when you feel your hearing aids aren’t working correctly or you wish they did something different while you’re still in the trial period. Your hearing care technician can discuss those problems with you if you take them back. It could just take an adjustment, or perhaps you need a different type of device.
When you purchase your hearing aids be sure to find a retailer that does free fittings. If they’re too big for your ears they won’t work properly.
4. Poor Maintenance
Successful upkeep of your hearing aids starts with knowing how and when to do it. Take the time to learn how to take care of your new device even if you’ve worn hearing aids before.
When you buy your hearing aids, Take a close look at at the warning signs listed in the user manual like using hair care products with your hearing aids in or not turning them off when you remove it.
Don’t forget to read the maintenance guide and troubleshooting instructions.
Cleaning is an important part of caring for hearing aids, so make sure you understand all the hows and whys. The hearing aid is not the only thing that requires cleaning. You also have to properly clean your ears.
It’s up to you to make sure you get the most out of your new hearing aids. The process begins as you are shopping for them and proceeds when you start wearing them. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist to find out what kind of hearing aid will work best for you.
