At last, you bought a set of hearing aids. Taking the first step to enhance your Quality of life is a great accomplishment. 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 with hearing aids, but it is a significant one.
It’s not only about taking care of your hearing aids, either. Your adjustment time will be delayed by the things you fail to do and your device will be less useful. Others in your situation have made mistakes that you can learn from. These four things that you shouldn’t do need to be taken into consideration.
1. Putting in Your Hearing Aids Right After You Buy Them
Without taking the time to understand the basics of how your hearing aids function and checking out the features that come with the brand you purchased you might be overlooking powerful features. Chances are if you simply turn on your new hearing aid and start wearing them, they won’t work effectively for you. Bluetooth and noise filters are a few of the best features that you may also overlook.
You can figure out how to get the cleanest sound quality and work on the numerous configurations that maximize the hearing aid’s function if you simply slow down and read the included documentation.
You will already have a general understanding of what your hearing aids can do by the time you buy them. Now, take some time to learn how to use them.
2. Underestimate the Adjustment Factor
Whenever you get new glasses, your eyes need time to adjust to the difference 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. That’s not how it works.
If you haven’t ever worn hearing aids, it’s a significant change and your ears will require some time to adapt. Adapting to your new hearing aids quickly is all about consistency.
Leave them in place once you’ve put them in. At first, you might have to fight the urge to remove them every few minutes. Ask yourself why you might be uncomfortable.
- Take out the hearing aid if it gets uncomfortable for short intervals. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids checked if they don’t really fit right..
- Is the noise too loud? Maybe you need to turn down the volume.
- Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Go to a quiet place for a few minutes when you first put them in each day. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask them if you are talking too loud. In this way, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
The worst mistake you can make is to give up. Your hearing aids won’t do any good shoved in a drawer and forgotten.
3. Get the Hearing Aid Fitted When You First Buy it
There is a lot involved in finding the right hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. During your hearing exam at the audiologist, it’s important to tell the truth 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. Some hearing aids pick up a high-frequency sound by design for instance. These are not the ideal hearing aids for you if you don’t hear mid or low tones.
Your lifestyle, in certain cases may not seem well suited to hearing aids. If you have to be talking on your phone allot you will need to get a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
Make a note of when you wish your hearing aid did something different or when they’re not working correctly while you are still in the trial period. You can go back to the hearing aid technician and talk about those problems. You might need a different type of device or you could just need an adjustment.
Most retailers do free fittings so makes sure to find one of them when you get your hearing aids. They can’t be too big for your ears or they won’t function right.
4. Careless Maintenance
Knowing when and how to Take care of your hearing aids are the keys to success. Even if you’ve had hearing aids before you need to take the time to learn how to care for your new device.
There are some things you shouldn’t do when you have your hearing aids in such as using hair products with them in or taking them out without turning them off so consult your documentation.
Don’t forget to read the maintenance guide and troubleshooting instructions.
A big part of taking care of hearing aids is cleaning so be sure that you understand how to do it. Don’t quit at just cleaning the device, either. Properly cleaning your ears is important too.
If you want to get the most out of your hearing aids, the ball is in your court. It’s an ongoing process from shopping to use. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist to find out what kind of hearing aid will best fit your needs.