The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids are happy with their experience: 91% of hearing aid users are satisfied with the hearing aid experience when talking one-on-one, based on a recent survey. When processing results with specific activities, 75% were satisfied in a restaurant or on the phone, 78% were satisfied while in the grocery store, and 85% were satisfied watching TV or in a group.
For a sophisticated device like a hearing aid, these are some incredibly positive results. But that still leaves us wondering, what’s happening with the other 25%, 15%, and 9%. Why aren’t they as happy with their devices?
Individuals who use hearing aids have some good and some bad things to convey about them. (The good news, most of the bad things can be easily fixed.)
For people who are happy with their hearing aids, this article will make you even more happy. If you aren’t as happy with it as you’d like to be, we’ll explore what to do about it.
1. I feel more connected
There’s often a reconnection with friends and loved ones for individuals who have had their ability to hear restored with hearing aids. They have more energy. They feel like they can better participate and remain active.
Their failure to hear isn’t so frustrating anymore. They feel less fatigued because they don’t have to work so hard to understand what other people are saying.
For many people, a hearing aid helps them feel more connected to their world and others, which is when they feel happiest.
2. Initially, sounds seemed distorted
Hearing aids nowadays are digital. They have lots of advanced settings for different hearing environments rather than just making everything louder. That’s why people may be so satisfied in a one-on-one conversation but dissatisfied in a restaurant or on the phone.
It isn’t difficult to learn to use a hearing aid. But getting used to them will take a bit of practice.
3. I couldn’t find out how to use my hearing aid on my own
Hearing aids aren’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution as many individuals may think. If it doesn’t sound great 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.
Hearing is more complex than you might know. Modern Hearing aids have settings that target many degrees and types of hearing loss.
When you are in the office, we will perform a complete hearing aid fitting. When you get home, we highly recommend that you practice using your hearing aid with a friend in a variety of settings.
Consult with us if you’re still having difficulty after a couple of weeks. We can help you get a better understanding of how your functions work and we can probably do some fine-tuning for you.
4. Without healthy hearing, you forgot what you were missing
Can you recollect what gentle laughter or a soft whisper sounds like? How about the wind, wind chimes, birds singing, or quiet music? Maybe you’ve forgotten how it makes you feel to hear the gentle breath of a significant other sitting near you or children playing outside.
Hearing these little subtle sounds that were forgotten about is unexpectedly pleasing according to many people who get hearing aids. Having these sounds restored means the whole magnificence of the world around can once again be experienced by individuals who get hearing aids.
5. It took a while to get used to my hearing aids
You most likely weren’t at first comfortable with your first pair of shoes when you were a toddler. Now you may choose to use them all the time. It might take time to get used to a new hat or a new watch, in a similar way.
Our bodies are designed to feel uncomfortable when something seems 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 would have purchased my hearing aids sooner
Individuals who took the time to get used to their hearing aids would not go back. They wouldn’t trade all the advantages of hearing, and they often regret waiting so long to get a hearing aid.
Of those now wearing them who struggled initially, say they’re so glad they persevered. Their lives have become a great deal more enriched.
Improved hearing should be the focus
If you aren’t having the ideal experience with your hearing aid, don’t quit. The effort and the time will be worth it. It will become second nature before too long.
Whatever you’re experiencing with your hearing aid today, consult us about it. We can help you adjust your hearing aids in a faster and more efficient way. The adjustment is worth it when you get the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer.
