You’ve purchased a set of new hearing aids. Taking the first step to enhance your life is a great accomplishment. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology like modern hearing aids. With hearing aids the list is significant even though it’s not very long.
Caring for your hearing is not the only consideration. The device will be less useful and your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do. It’s time to learn from the mistakes others in your shoes have made; think about these four things you shouldn’t do with those new hearing aids.
1. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear
If you don’t explore the features that come with the brand you bought and take the time to understand the basics of how your device works you could be ignoring powerful features. If you just turn on your hearing aids and put them in, it’s likely they won’t work efficiently. You might also lose out on the best features like Bluetooth or noise filters.
You can learn how to get the cleanest sound quality and practice the various configurations that maximize the hearing aid’s function if you merely slow down and study the users manual.
You should have a basic understanding of what your hearing aids can do when you buy them. It will take a bit more time but you need to learn how to use them correctly.
2. Underestimate the Adjustment Factor
Anytime you get new glasses, your eyes require time to adapt to the change in the lenses or the shape of the frame. The same goes for hearing aids. The sound quality is not just magically enjoyed by new hearing aid owners. It doesn’t work that way.
If you’ve never worn hearing aids before, it’s a significant change and your ears will need some time to adjust. Consistency is the key to adapting quickly to new hearing aids.
After you put them in leave them in. Often, new users have an urge to keep removing them. That urge should be ignored. Think about why you might be uncomfortable.
- Is the sound too loud? Perhaps you should turn down the volume.
- Are you overwhelmed by the background noise? Go to a quiet place for a few minutes when you first put them in each day. Sit with a friend and talk. Ask if you are talking too loud. This will help you make adjustments to balance out the sound.
- Until you get used to it, take the hearing aid out when it gets uncomfortable. If the hearing aids just don’t really fit right, go back to the seller and have them inspected.
Giving up is the biggest mistake you can make. If you forget about your hearing aids, shoving them in a drawer somewhere, they will do you no good.
3. Get the Hearing Aid Fitted When You First Get it
There is a lot involved in finding the right hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. During your hearing exam at the audiologist, it’s important to be honest about what you can and can’t hear. Hearing aids that aren’t The right ones for your type or level of hearing loss can be the result. Some hearing aids pick up a high-frequency sound by design for instance. These are not the ideal hearing aids for you if you can’t hear mid or low tones.
Your lifestyle, in certain cases may not seem well compatible with hearing aids. If you have to be on your phone allot you will need to get a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
Make a note of when you wish your hearing aid did something different or when they aren’t working properly while you are still in the trial period. Your hearing aid technician can discuss that with you if you take them back. An adjustment might be required or you may possibly need a different device.
Most retailers do free fittings so be sure to find one of them when you get your hearing aids. If they’re too big for your ears they won’t work properly.
4. Careless Maintenance
Sometimes inadequate maintenance is merely a question of not knowing when you should or shouldn’t do something or how to do it. Even if you’ve used hearing aids before you need to take the time to understand how to take care of your new device.
There are some things you don’t want to do with your hearing aids in such as using hair products when you have them in or taking them out without turning them off so consult your documentation.
Also, study the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.
Keeping it clean is an important part of caring for hearing aids, so be sure to understand all the hows and whys. Don’t stop at only cleaning the device, either. You also have to correctly clean your ears.
It’s up to you to ensure you get the most from your new hearing aids. It’s a continuing process from shopping to use. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist to find out what type of hearing aid will work best for you.