While hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss, they are not without their problems. Below are the top complaints about hearing aids audiologists hear from their patients and what advice audiologists give in return.
My Hearing Aids Make Me Look Old
According to the National Institute on Aging, about one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Although hearing loss is more common in older populations, it can affect people of all ages. If you think wearing a hearing aid makes other people think you are old, how does asking people to constantly repeat themselves and answering questions incorrectly make you look?
The hearing aids sold today are nothing like the models worn by your parents or grandparents. The large and bulky models have been replaced by sleek, modern devices engineered with discretion in mind.
My Hearing Aid Makes Things Sound Weird
Hearing loss is usually a progressive condition, meaning patients slowly lose their hearing over time. Since it takes an average of seven years for someone to finally seek help for their loss, many miss out on certain sounds for years.
Getting used to wearing hearing aids is a process. And the longer you wait between losing your hearing and getting a hearing device, the more difficult it will be to adjust.
Hearing aids work by amplifying the sounds around you. In addition to making voices easier to understand, hearing aids can also amplify background noises that you are not used to hearing. This is especially true if you are walking around Bellefonte Farmer’s Market on the weekend.
My Hearing Aids Don’t Sound Clear
If sounds seem muffled, this could be an indication that there is a buildup of earwax, dirt or debris inside the components of your hearing aids. Cleaning your hearing aids daily with a soft, dry cloth can take care of this issue.
My Hearing Aids Are Uncomfortable
When you first start wearing hearing aids, they may feel weird, but you should get used to sensation over time. If your ears feel sore, this may be a sign your hearing aids need to be refit. Your audiologist can adjust the fit of your hearing aids and reprogram them to better suit your ear anatomy and unique degree of hearing loss.
To learn more about hearing aids or to schedule an appointment with a hearing professional, contact Wilmington Audiology today.