What to Expect from Hearing Aids
Around 48 million Americans have some form of hearing loss; even if yours is a mild case, it’s likely that wearing hearing aids will present major benefits. However, it’s important to find the right audiologist to help you select the devices that will meet your specific needs and wants.
When trying to determine which hearing aids are right for you, there are a number of factors to consider, from which style is best for your needs to which features would be most beneficial to your hearing loss.
Confirming the right type of hearing aids for you
Noticing the signs that you have hearing loss is pretty easy. Frankly, if you believe that you could benefit from wearing hearing aids, there’s a very good chance that you’re right. However, knowing that you need help and getting the right type of help are two entirely different things.
When having a hearing exam, the audiologist will determine the type and severity of your hearing loss. This information, combined with details on your lifestyle, can help them make suggestions regarding the best type of hearing device for your needs.
The most common hearing aid types include:
Behind the ear: These devices are worn with a unit that sits behind the ear and has a thin tube or wire to connect to a receiver resting in your ear. These devices are slightly larger than the other options, but offer power and easy handling.
In the ear: This type of hearing aid is available in full and half shell options and sits in the bowl of the ear. They offer a smaller size than the BTE option and can still equip a number of features.
In the canal: Devices worn in the ear canal can provide a number of benefits, such as a more natural listening experience to discreetness. However, they may not be ideal if you have dexterity issues due to their small size.
There is also a possibility that implants or other forms of treatment may be deemed better. Either way, an accurate diagnosis and understanding the various options are crucial precursors to getting the best results.
How quickly do hearing aids work?
Once fitted, turned on and calibrated, hearing aids provide immediate results. However, it’s important to remember that they can only provide the improved hearing you desire when the settings and positioning are tailored to your needs. This is just one of the many reasons to choose an audiologist over an off-the-shelf alternative.
The audiologist will also show you how to fit the hearing aids or daily comfort while also explaining basic maintenance and storage advice. This should allow you to start enjoying the benefits right away.
Won’t it all feel a little strange?
While the ability to hear things more clearly is hugely rewarding, acclimatizing to the new lifestyle can be a little challenging. The audiologist may suggest only wearing the devices for a small portion of the day for the first week or so before gradually increasing the usage. Besides, you may find that wearing the device in all situations isn’t required anyway. In short, it may feel a little odd at the start, but you’ll soon get used to it.
On a brighter note, though, wearing hearing aids won’t hurt. The only time that you may experience pain or discomfort is when parts have become misshapen or damaged.
Will my hearing aids get damaged?
As long as you take note of everything the audiologist has to say regarding storage and general care, the devices should remain largely unharmed. Nonetheless, there will be several ongoing maintenance tasks that require your attention. These include changing the battery every few days and replacing the tubing on certain hearing aid models.
Parts may also become pushed out of position while the changing shape of your ear may mean that new molds are required. With good care, the hearing aids should provide years of service. If you do notice issues sooner, though, there’s nothing wrong with seeing the audiologist to be sure.
Will my hearing be perfect?
Probably not. Hearing aids are there to restore a sense of normal hearing but they won’t necessarily give you a perfect hearing profile. It helps if your hearing loss is only mild to start with while choosing the right hearing aid for your needs is pivotal too.
The improvements are likely to make you feel as though your hearing is back to perfection, not least because it will reduce the frequency of asking people to repeat themselves. It’s certainly a better solution than not wearing hearing aids.
Book your hearing test or hearing aid fitting today.
If you believe that hearing aids could offer some benefit to your life, the first step to success is to find an audiologist that can guide you through the process of hearing examinations, device selection and hearing aid fittings.
Adirondack Audiology boasts the best audiologists at no less than four centers. In addition to providing the best technical support, we offer expert advice and emotional support to help you through the transitional period.
Call our office today at (800) 273-9536 today to find the right device to accompany your hearing loss – and lifestyle.
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