The majority of people who wear hearing aids are happy with their results: Based upon one recent survey, when speaking one-on-one, 91% of people who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience. When breaking down results with specific activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the supermarket, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some amazingly positive results. But that still leaves us questioning, what’s going on with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. What makes them less happy with their hearing devices?
Let’s examine the good and the bad things people have to say about their hearing aid results. (We can easily fix most of the bad things and that’s the good news!)
For people who are pleased with their hearing aids, this article will make you even happier. And for people who are less thrilled, this article should help you address your concerns.
1. I feel more connected
There’s frequently a reconnection with friends and loved ones for people who have had their ability to hear revived with hearing aids. Their energy levels are increased. They engage and stay more active.
They find their days filled with less frustration over their failure to hear. They feel less tired because they don’t have to struggle to understand what others are saying.
For many individuals, a hearing aid allows them to feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. Initially, sounds seemed distorted
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 difficult to learn to use. But they do take a little practice getting used to them.
3. I needed help finding out how to use my hearing aid
A frequent confusion about hearing aids is that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution. If it doesn’t sound good when they first get home 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 might not even recognize how complex hearing loss can be. Hearing aids are designed to target numerous types and levels of hearing loss by adjusting how sound goes into the ear.
Our expert hearing specialists will complete a hearing aid fitting in the office. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in various settings.
Consult with us if you’re still having trouble after a couple of weeks. We can probably make adjustments or help you better understand how the hearing aid works in settings where you’re having trouble.
4. Without full hearing, you forgot what you were missing out on
Can you recollect what gentle laughter or a delicate whisper sounds like? What about the wind, wind chimes, birds singing, or soft music? Perhaps you’ve forgotten what it’s like to hear the soft breath of a significant other sitting near you or children playing outside.
Many people who get a hearing aid communicate that it’s a nice surprise to suddenly hear these small things that they had forgotten about. It means so much to have these sounds restored, it allows them to again experience the fullness and grandeur of the world around them.
5. It took a while to get used to my hearing aids
You probably weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a baby. But now, of course, you’re totally comfortable with them. In a similar way, a new watch or a new hat might take some time to get accustomed to.
When something like a hearing aid is first put in your ear canal, your body is designed to initially feel uncomfortable. 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 put off 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 get used to them. They typically feel disappointed about waiting so long and they would never trade the benefits of being able to hear.
People now wearing them who struggled at first, say they’re so glad they persevered. It’s made their life so much more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you aren’t having the best experience with your hearing aid, don’t give up. It’s worth the effort and time. Before long, using the hearing aid will become second nature.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, talk to us about it. We can help you adjust your hearing aids in a faster and more effective way. Experiencing all that life has to provide with restored hearing is worth the patients.