Are You A New Hearing Aid User? Learn What to Expect Now.
Acknowledging your hearing loss is the first step toward a healthier you. As a new hearing aid user, you probably know that hearing loss impacts more than just your hearing abilities. Because we hear with our brains, cognitive decline is common in those who have ignored hearing loss treatment. Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to hypertension and stress, anxiety attacks, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and more.
Ultimately, untreated hearing loss impacts your overall health and our team of experienced hearing healthcare providers are here to provide new hearing aid users with tips for overall success.
New Hearing Aid Users Should Set Realistic Expectations
Using hearing aids is not at all like putting on a new pair of glasses. The wearer often does not instantly feel their hearing loss has been resolved. This is because new hearing aid users are taking the first step toward better hearing. Re-learning sounds a person with hearing loss has missed for some time, takes time. Hearing aids must be personalized to work with each individual hearing loss. This is most successfully accomplished under the care of an Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist. Setting realistic time expectations now can save frustration later.
Sounds May Sound Unfamiliar
Hearing loss happens gradually over time. Often, the person living with untreated hearing loss is the last person to realize they have a hearing loss. Throughout that time, people with hearing loss gradually compensate and adjust to hearing softer sounds. Because of this, becoming a hearing aid user can be shocking at first. This is especially true if a person’s hearing loss has progressed and gone untreated for a long period of time. New hearing aid users often report that their voice sounds different and other common sounds feel off. As a new hearing aid user continues to wear hearing aids, these feelings will subside, and sounds will begin to sound familiar. There is no simple remedy that will restore the hearing capabilities a person with hearing loss has lost. Persevere and your new hearing aids will work for you!
Earwax Can Be a Challenge for New Hearing Aid Users
Having a problem with your new hearing aids? It could be just earwax. It does happen that a build-up of earwax can block or inhibit a hearing aid’s performance. Not to worry! This is generally an easy fix and one that your Audiologist of hearing healthcare professional can remedy. Earwax within the ear canal can also impact sound performance. Your Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist can also help to remove your earwax. We do not recommend any patient attempt to remove deeply impacted earwax without professional hearing healthcare assistance. Besides, that’s what your hearing healthcare professionals are there for!
Did you Check the Hearing Aid Battery?
Chances are, if your hearing aid will not work, the battery is dead. Check the battery often and keep it clean and dry. We also recommend removing the battery at night to extend the length and performance of your hearing aid battery over time. It’s easy to forget that the battery is a common culprit of decreased hearing aid performance.
Rhode Island Hearing Loss Help
If you reside in Rhode Island, or the surrounding areas, it is likely you have heard of Physicians Hearing Solutions. Our practice is committed to working together to bring the most quality hearing healthcare to our patients to achieve our overall goal of improving all of our patients with an increased quality of life. To fulfill this mission, we are committed to earning the trust and respect of all of our patients, through providing professionalism; ensuring a creative, challenging, and compassionate professional environment; exceeding your expectations; listening to those we are privileged to serve; and always striving for continuous improvement at all levels.