The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids are satisfied with their experience: According to one recent survey, when talking one-on-one, 91% of individuals who use hearing aids are satisfied with their experience. When speaking about particular activities, 85% were satisfied in a group environment and watching TV, 78% while shopping, and 75% in a restaurant or on the phone.
For an advanced device like a hearing aid, these are some amazingly positive results. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as happy with their devices?
Let’s explore the good and the bad things people have to say about their hearing aid experience. (We can easily fix most of the bad stuff and that’s the good news!)
For people who are happy with their hearing aids, this article will make you even happier. And for people who are less thrilled, this article should help you deal with your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. They have more vitality. They feel like they can better engage and stay active.
Their failure to hear isn’t so discouraging anymore. Because they don’t need to work as hard to hear what people are saying, they feel less tired.
People are usually happiest when they feel connected with others and their world, and for many using a hearing aid makes that possible.
2. They might sound distorted initially
Contemporary hearing aids are digital. They have lots of advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than simply making everything louder. That’s why people might be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
Hearing aids aren’t complicated to learn to use. But getting used to them will take a little practice.
3. I needed help learning how to use my hearing aid
A typical misconception about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. If it doesn’t sound great when they leave the office they might get the misconception that this is as good as it gets and decide it’s easier not to wear the hearing aid.
You may not even understand how complex hearing loss is. Hearing aids are designed to manage various types and levels of hearing loss by transforming the way sound enters the ear.
When you’re in the office, we will do a complete hearing aid fitting. It’s strongly recommended that you practice using your hearing aid by chatting with a friend initially.
Talk with us if you’re still having trouble after a couple of weeks. We can probably make modifications or help you better understand how the hearing aid works in settings where you’re having difficulty.
4. I had forgotten what I was missing out on without full hearing
Do you recall what a subtle whisper sounds like? What about gentle laughter? What about soft music, birds singing, wind chimes, or the wind? Perhaps you can’t recollect what kids playing sounds like, or you’ve forgotten the sound of the soft breathing of your significant other.
Hearing these little discreet sounds that were forgotten about is surprisingly pleasing according to many people who get hearing aids. Having these sounds restored means the full magnificence of the world around can once again be experienced by individuals who get hearing aids.
5. Becoming accustomed to my new hearing aid took some getting used to.
You likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you may like to wear them all the time. It might take time to become accustomed to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
Our bodies are made to feel uncomfortable when something feels out of place, like a hearing aid going into your outer ear. Eventually, when the body understands that it’s not threatened, it will become used to and comfortable with the new device.
6. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to invest in my hearing aid
People would never go back to having hearing loss if they were patient and took the time to become accustomed to them. They typically regret waiting so long and they would never give up the benefits of being able to hear.
People who had patience and stuck with it were happy that they did. It’s made their life a great deal more enriched.
Pay attention to improved hearing
If you’re not having the best experience with your hearing aid, don’t quit. It’s worth the effort and time. It will become automatic before too long.
Talk to us today about what you’re experiencing with your hearing aids. We can often give you tips on how to adjust to your hearing aids faster. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.
