Hearing Associates of Libertyville, IL

Man adjusting to new hearing aids by adjusting volume on his smartphone.

You’ve waited far too long but you finally purchased a set of hearing aids. Well done, it’s a good start to maximizing the quality of your life. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology like modern hearing aids. It’s not a long list when it comes to hearing aids, but it is a significant one.

There are other things to consider besides just taking care of your hearing. Your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you don’t do and your hearing aids will be less effective. 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 learn the basics of how your device functions you could be ignoring powerful features. If you simply turn on your hearing aids and start wearing them, it’s likely they won’t work efficiently. Bluetooth and noise filters are a few of the best features that you may also lose out on.

On the other hand, if you slow it down a bit and read the included documentation, you can learn how to attain the cleanest sound quality and work on the various configurations that improve the hearing aid’s function.

you will have a basic understanding of what the hearing aids can do when you purchase them. Now you need to figure out how to use and that which takes a little patients.

2. It Takes Time For Your Ears to Adjust

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 is true for hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. It doesn’t work that way.

Your ears will require a couple days to adjust to what is a significant change, particularly if you haven’t worn hearing aids in the past. Consistency is the key to adjusting quickly to new hearing aids.

Leave them in your ear once you’ve put them in. You need to resist the urge to keep taking them out. If you are uncomfortable, ask yourself why.

  • If it is uncomfortable, take the hearing aid out for short intervals until you get used to it. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids inspected if they don’t really fit right..
  • Is the noise too loud? Perhaps you should turn the volume down.
  • Are you overwhelmed by the background noise? Every day when you first put them in you should go to a quiet place for a few minutes. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask them if you are talking too loud. By doing this, you can balance out the sound by making adjustments.

Giving up is the worst mistake you can make. Your hearing aids will do you no good thrown in a drawer and forgotten about.

3. Fail to Get a Proper Fitting Upfront

Getting the right hearing aids begins before you start actually shopping and there is a lot to it. While at your hearing test at the audiologist, it’s important to be honest about what you can and can’t hear. You might end up with hearing aids that aren’t the correct ones for your level or type of hearing loss. For instance, some hearing aids by design amplify a high-frequency sound. If you have a tough time hearing mid or low sounds, these are not the correct hearing aids for you.

Your lifestyle, in some cases may not seem well compatible with hearing aids. If you have to be talking on your phone allot you will want to get a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.

Make a note of when you want your hearing aid to do something different or when they aren’t functioning properly when you are still in the trial period. You can go back and discuss those issues with your hearing aid technician. You may need a different type of device or you might just need an adjustment.

Most retailers do free fittings so makes sure to find one of them when you buy your hearing aids. They won’t work if they are too big for your ears.

4. Careless Maintenance

Often inadequate upkeep is merely a question of not understanding 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 care for your new device.

When you buy your hearing aids, Take a close look at at the warning signs listed in the documentation like using hair care products with your hearing aids in or failing to turn them off when you take it out.

Additionally, read the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.

Understand exactly how to clean your hearing aids since that’s an important part of effective maintenance. The hearing aid is not the only thing that requires cleaning. Properly cleaning your ears is crucial too.

It’s up to you to make sure you get the most out of your new hearing aids. It’s a continuing process from shopping to use. Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to find out what type of hearing aid will best fit your needs.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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