Finally, you purchased some hearing aids. Congrats, it’s an excellent start to improving the quality of your life. There is a good deal to learn when you buy new technology such as modern hearing aids, and that includes the things you shouldn’t do. The list with hearing aids is not long, but it’s an important one.
Caring for your hearing isn’t the only thing to consider. The device will be less useful and your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do. It’s time to learn from the mistakes many others in your shoes have made; contemplate 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 check out the features that are included with the brand you bought and take the time to learn the basics of how your device functions you could be ignoring powerful features. More than likely, your hearing aids won’t work effectively if you just turn them on and put them in. You might also lose out on the best features such as Bluetooth or noise filters.
You can ascertain how to get the cleanest sound quality and work on the various configurations that maximize the hearing aid’s function if you simply slow down and study the users manual.
You will already have a basic idea of what your hearing aids can do by the time you purchase them. Now, take some time to learn how to use them.
2. Consider The Adjustment Period
Every time you get a new pair of glasses, your eyes need time to adjust to the change in the lenses or the shape of the frame. There is also an adaptation period when it comes to hearing aids. Some new hearing aid owners think they will immediately experience this magical new sound quality. It doesn’t work that way.
If you’ve never worn hearing aids before, it’s a big change and your ears will require some time to adjust. Adapting to new hearing aids quickly is all about consistency.
Put them in your ear and leave them in place. You need to resist the urge to keep removing them. If you are uncomfortable, consider why.
- Are you overwhelmed by the background noise? Go to a quiet place for a few minutes when you first put them in each day. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask if you are talking too loud. In this way, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
- Until you get used to it, take out the hearing aids when it gets uncomfortable. If the hearing aids just don’t seem to fit right, go back to the seller and have them checked.
- Is the sound too loud? Perhaps you should turn down the volume.
The worst mistake you can make is giving up. Your hearing aids will do you no good thrown in a drawer and left behind.
3. Neglect Getting a Professional Fitting Upfront
Getting the right hearing aids begins before you start actually shopping and there is a lot to it. During your hearing test at the audiologist, it’s important to tell the truth about what you can and can’t hear. Hearing aids that aren’t right for your type or level of hearing loss can be the result. Some hearing aids amplify a high-frequency sound by design as an example. These are not the right hearing aids for you if you don’t hear mid or low tones.
In many situations, hearing aids may not seem to fit your lifestyle. Maybe you spend a lot of your day talking on the phone, so you will need hearing aids with Bluetooth technology.
While you are still in the trial period for your new hearing aids, write down the times where you wanted your hearing aids to do something different or when it seemed like they didn’t work right. Your hearing care technician can discuss that with you if you bring them back. It might just take an adjustment, or maybe you need a different type of device.
When you get your hearing aids make certain to go to a seller that does free fittings. They won’t work if they are too big for your ears.
4. Neglected Maintenance
Successful maintenance of your hearing aids starts with understanding how and when to do it. Even if you’ve had hearing aids before you should take the time to learn how to take care of your new device.
There are things you shouldn’t do with your hearing aids in such as using hair products with them in or taking them out without turning them off so read your user manual.
Also, read the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.
Keeping it clean is a big part of caring for hearing aids, so make sure you understand all the hows and whys. The hearing aid is not the only thing that needs to be cleaned. You also have to properly clean your ears.
It’s up to you to make sure you get the most from your new hearing aids. It’s an ongoing process from shopping to use. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist to find out what type of hearing aid will work best for you.