You’ve purchased a pair of new hearing aids. Nice job taking the first step to improve your quality of life. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology like modern hearing aids. It’s not a long list when it comes to hearing aids, but it is a significant one.
It’s not only about caring for your hearing aids, either. The device will be less useful and your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do. Now learn from the mistakes others 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 disregarding powerful features if you don’t take the time to understand the basics of how your hearing aid functions and check out the features that come with the brand. If you simply turn on your hearing aids and put them in, more than likely they won’t work effectively. Bluetooth and noise filters are some of the best features that you may also miss out on.
You can learn how to get the cleanest sound quality and practice the numerous configurations that maximize the hearing aid’s function if you just slow down and read the included documentation.
You will already have a basic understanding of what your hearing aids can do when you buy them. It will take a little more time but you have to learn how to use them correctly.
2. It Takes Time For Your Ears to Adjust
Your eyes need to adjust to the difference in the lenses and the shape of the frame when you get new glasses. There is also an adaptation period with hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. That’s not how it works.
Your ears will require a couple days to adjust to what is a massive change, particularly if you haven’t worn hearing aids before. Adapting to your new hearing aids as quickly as possible is all about consistency.
Put them in your ear and leave them in place. Usually, new users feel an urge to keep removing them. That urge needs to be resisted. Ask yourself why you might be uncomfortable.
- Is the noise too loud? Perhaps you should turn down the volume.
- Take the hearing aid out if it gets uncomfortable for short intervals. If the hearing aids just don’t really fit right, go back to the retailer and have them checked.
- Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Spend a few minutes in a quiet place each day when you first put them in. Sit with a friend and talk. Ask them if you are talking too loud. This will help you make adjustments to balance out the sound.
Don’t make a huge mistake and give up on your hearing aid. If you throw your hearing aids in a drawer and forget about them, they will do you no good.
3. Neglect Getting a Proper Fitting Upfront
Getting the right hearing aids begins before you start actually shopping and there is a lot to it. During your hearing test at the audiologist, it’s important to tell the truth about what you can and can’t hear. You could wind up with hearing aids that aren’t right for your level or type of hearing loss. Some hearing aids amplify a high-frequency sound by design for example. These are not the right hearing aids for you if you can’t hear mid or low tones.
In some situations, hearing aids might not seem to fit your lifestyle. If you have to be on your phone allot you will want to get a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
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. You can go back and talk about those concerns with your hearing aid technician. You may need a different type of device or you might just need an adjustment.
Most retailers do free fittings so be certain to find one of them when you get your hearing aids. They won’t work if they are too big for your ears.
4. Careless Maintenance
Knowing when and how to Take care of your hearing aids are the keys to success. Take the time to understand how to care for your new device even if you’ve worn hearing aids before.
After you buy the hearing aids, look closely at the warning signs listed in the documentation like using hair products with your hearing aids in or failing to turn them off when you remove it.
Additionally, read the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.
Cleaning is a big part of caring for hearing aids, so be sure to understand all the hows and whys. The hearing aid is not the only thing that needs to be cleaned. Correctly cleaning your ears is essential too.
You have to take the initiative if you want to get the most from your hearing aids. It’s a continuing process from shopping to use. Schedule an exam with a hearing professional to find out what type of hearing aid will work best for you.