How to get the most from hearing aids
Following a few easy steps helps to ensure your hearing aid device offers as many benefits as expected
HEARING AIDS CAN have a transformational impact on a person’s quality of life, with studies showing that hearing aid-wearers benefit from an enhanced social life, less stress and mental fatigue, and improved cognitive health, among many other benefits.
With that said, the advantages of wearing a hearing device aren’t automatic. The people who get the most from their devices tend to be the ones who take a few additional steps that improve the functionality of the device and their experience of wearing it. In this post, we’ll run through a few easy-to-follow tips that should ensure your device offers as many benefits as expected.
Work With an Audiologist To Find the Right Device
There’s no such thing as the perfect hearing device, only the one that’s perfect for you. Many people assume that hearing aids are more or less all the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are many, many different hearing aid manufacturers and styles, including ITC (in the Canal), ITE (In the Ear), and CIC (Completely in the Canal). A good audiologist will work with you to determine which type is right for your needs and preferences.
Slowly Build Up Wear-Time
It can be emotionally exciting to be fitted for a new hearing aid, but it’s important to remember that your brain will need a little bit of time to get used to the new input of sound. This process is called Auditory Acclimatization, and can take a few weeks. As such, it’s recommended to take things slow at first. Instead of wearing your hearing aids all day, start by wearing them for just a few hours, between 2 and 4 hours for the first week. Over the next few weeks, you can gradually increase wear-time. After a month or so, you should find that you can comfortably wear your device all day long.
Be Mindful of Changes
In most cases, wearers can simply trust that their hearing device will work just as intended for a long time. However, it’s important to be mindful of any changes, which can and do occur on occasion. For instance, making sure that the device continues to fit correctly. Maintaining a proper hearing aid fit is vital for maximizing performance and comfort, so any changes should be reported to your audiologist. In addition, any issues that impact the device’s functionality will also require investigation.
Schedule Professional Cleaning
Your audiologist will show you how to take care of your hearing aid device, including the daily cleaning process. However, while those daily habits will keep the device in generally good condition, it’s also important to schedule professional cleaning every few months, ideally every 3 – 6 months. This is vital for removing the wax and oils that can infiltrate the device and cause performance issues.
And that’s it! By following these tips, you can get the most from your device and enjoy all that they can provide, including joining in with social events, go traveling, and all-around enjoy life to the fullest.