Hearing Aid Success IS possible!

By Dr. Dawn MacMillan, Audiologist

Hearing aids are wonderful tools to assist those with hearing loss! They can make things louder when needed, brighter-sharper-clearer if that's what is needed. Modern digital hearing aids are based off a prescription, your hearing test, so your Audiologist can program in precisely the sounds you need. Instant-fit and over-the-counter (OTC) options cannot do this as they are typically programmed to a particular hearing loss shape and configuration. This is bad because it means some sounds you need to hear will be UNDER-amplified while other sounds are OVER-amplified, leading to dissatisfaction with the sound quality and for most, poor wearing habits.

To get the most out of your investment, here are five tips to maximize success with hearing aids:

 1.       Learn how your hearing aids work. Spend some time with your Audiologist, and really learn how hearing aids work.  A hearing aid fitting appointment can be a little bit like drinking water out of a fire hose! A tremendous amount of information in a relatively short amount of time! While we joke about 'reading the instructions' all new hearing aid fittings come with an instruction book. Additionally, your Audiologist can typically print or email a quick reference guide for the instant, need-to-know high points to get you going immediately upon fitting. You’ll need to practice wearing your devices in various settings. For first time users, getting used to the sound of your own voice may be funny initially. We recommend reading aloud to yourself. As silly as you may feel, it really does help you get used to how your voice sounds slightly amplified. Then, continue to follow up with your audiologist to adjust programming as needed. Additionally, if your devices pair with other wireless devices around your home, you will need to learn how to connect. While your Audiologist can walk you through most of these tasks, many hearing aid manufacturers have direct-to-consumer numbers that operate 24 hours a day and can assist hearing aid wearers connect devices from home.

 2.      Care for your hearing aids properly. It is positively vital to care for your hearing aids properly. Keep them dry in a dehumidifying case if you perspire a lot or work in a humid or moisture-prone area. We have a full range of products to combat moisture. If you suspect you may need something like this, just ask! We want to help you protect your investment as we know you depend on them. Make sure to keep your wax guards clear. This is done by wiping your hearing aids down after you remove them for the day. Use the brush that came with your hearing aids or the complimentary toothbrush we provide to brush any dead skin and/or wax.  Additionally, it is important to keep your devices in a safe place in order to avoid loss or damage. It’s true -- caring for your devices properly will lead to hearing aid success.

 3.       Keep extra batteries on hand. Make sure you have what you need on hand in order to maximize the use of your hearing devices. This will also ensure your overall hearing success. Keep batteries in a central location in your home, and always keep a new pair on your person so you can change them as needed. If you wear rechargeable devices, make sure you place your hearing aids in the charging unit overnight to fully charge them, allowing you to enjoy a full day's wear. It is important to note that your hearing aids should not be stored in the charger if the charger is unplugged as it will deplete your rechargeable batteries.

 4.       Track your progress over time. Keep track of your progress by noting your events and your calendar. Our office provides a workbook to our patients with exercises you can work through to rate your progress as you acclimate to your devices. Notate how well you were able to hear in various situations. It takes time to adjust to new devices, and you WILL see progress. But, you need to track how your devices are serving you in order to experience hearing aid success.

 5.       Trust the process. Better hearing is a journey, NOT a destination. Give yourself time. Your hearing will not be perfect overnight, and that is OKAY! Research indicates it may take up to 6 months for someone to acclimate to hearing devices. That's with daily, consistent use as prescribed. After you invest in devices, it will take some time to get used to the devices. And, your brain will need to adjust to the additional sounds and clarity you take in. We often hear, "we hear with our brains, not our ears." and there's truth to that. The sound may come to us by way of our ears but it is our brain that decides what to do with the sound. Wear your hearing devices more and more, and wear them in a wide array of situations. Do not get discouraged. Just keep going. And if you find yourself getting discouraged, please reach out to us so we can work together at solving the problem.

There you have it! Five tips to hearing aid success.