5 Mistakes Every New Hearing Aid Owner Makes

Hearing aids are incredible devices, which enable people who experience hearing loss to improve their hearing. If you undergo hearing assessments and your audiologist encourages you to consider hearing aids, you may find that adjusting to hearing aids takes a little time. There are lots of common mistakes that people make when they use hearing aids for the first time. In this guide, we’ll outline five mistakes and offer advice to help you make the most of your new devices.

Not Learning How Your Hearing Aids Work

Hearing aids are amazing innovations, which can have a hugely positive impact on your hearing, as well as your mental health, social life and general well-being. Modern hearing aids offer an array of features and settings, which you can use or adjust to optimize performance and customize the devices.

Many people who start using hearing aids fail to learn how they work. This means that they don’t know how to change the settings or adjust the programs or features to get the best out of their hearing aids. Take full advantage of your appointments with your audiologist and experiment with different settings to enable you to learn what works best in certain environments.

If you work in a busy office, for example, you may want to adjust your hearing aids when you leave work and head home. Your audiologist will be on hand to help if you have any questions about how your hearing aids work.

Expecting Perfect Hearing Immediately

Wearing hearing aids for the first time is a very exciting prospect, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. Hearing aids won’t allow you to hear perfectly as soon as you put them in your ears. It takes time to get used to hearing aids. Wear your hearing aids for short periods initially and increase the duration gradually. Introduce new settings and environments. You should notice that your hearing improves, and you feel more comfortable and confident with your hearing aids as time passes.

Missing Out on A Hearing Aid Fitting

It’s understandable to want to get started with your hearing aids as quickly as possible, but it’s incredibly beneficial to take the time to have a hearing aid fitting. This appointment is all about making sure your hearing aids fit comfortably and adjusting them to suit your needs and preferences. If you miss out on a hearing aid fitting, you may find that the devices don’t fit properly and that they don’t function as well as you hoped. During a hearing aid fitting, you’ll have tests and you can try your hearing aids using different settings. You can also ask your audiologist questions and get advice about using your hearing aids.

Not Looking After Your Hearing Aids

If you’re using hearing aids, it’s crucial to look after them to reduce the risk of damage and issues linked to function and performance and prolong their lifespan. Follow care instructions and contact your audiologist if you have any questions or queries. You’ll need to keep your hearing aids clean and change the battery when it runs low. It’s important to store your hearing aids in a secure container away from moisture. Avoid leaving your hearing aids lying around and don’t keep them in the bathroom. Moisture can damage hearing aids. If they do happen to get wet, clean them off with a cloth, and let them dry out in a cool, safe place.

Not Being Honest During Your Hearing Aid Fitting and Hearing Assessments

It’s so important to be honest and open when you have hearing assessments or you attend your hearing aid fitting. If you find your hearing aids uncomfortable, or you can’t hear very well when you first put them in your ears, tell your audiologist. They will be able to adjust the devices to enhance comfort and improve results.

It’s very common for new hearing aid owners to make mistakes when they first start using their hearing aids. Examples include not knowing how they work, missing out on a hearing aid fitting and expecting perfect hearing straight away. Many people don’t look after their hearing aids properly and they may also not be 100% honest during their hearing assessments and fitting appointments.

If you have any questions about hearing aids, or you’d like advice about adjusting to new hearing aids or looking after your devices, we’re here to help. Call Siouxland Hearing Healthcare P.L.C at (712) 266-3662.