The 4 Most Frequent Mistakes Made by New Hearing Aid Owners

Hearing loss is incredibly common, according to the NIDCD, about, 28.8-million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids. Unfortunately, a small percent of these people seek help for their hearing loss.

If you notice a decline in your hearing health, it’s best to get support early on. Failing to treat hearing loss increases your risk of developing both depression and dementia. Once you’ve got your hearing aid, you’ll need to adjust to using it. Be sure to avoid these four mistakes that new hearing aid owners make.

Failing to Check the Features

When you get a new hearing aid it’s important to read the instructions and make sure that you understand all the different features. Unless you understand how your device works, you’re unlikely to get the most out of it.

Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Some types of hearing aids are rechargeable, these come with rechargeable batteries and you simply have to plug in the device when it runs out of power.

Directional Microphones

These microphones are designed to filter through the sound that’s in front of you, and then reduce the sounds that are beside or behind. Directional microphones make it easier to hear when there’s plenty of background noise.

Not Getting a Professional Fitting

If you need a hearing aid it’s best to visit your ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for a professional fitting. Unless you have a professional fitting, you could risk ending up with the wrong hearing aid. A hearing aid fitting is essential for several reasons:

• Tailor-made hearing aids are the best way to improve your hearing health, without a professional fitting you won’t be able to order one of these devices.
• Hearing aids come in a range of designs; at a professional fitting your ENT doctor will recommend the best device for your needs.
• Unless you have a professional fitting, your hearing aids may not fit.
• At a hearing aid fitting your ENT doctor will program your new device and show you how to use it.
• Having a hearing aid fitting is the best way to ensure that your device is suitable and comfortable.

Not Maintaining Your Hearing Aids 

Unless you maintain your hearing aids properly, they may not last too long. Hearing aids can be hard to replace, and so it’s best to take care of them. To help you maintain your hearing aids, here are a few general tips:

• Handle your hearing aids carefully: Hearing aids are delicate devices, and so you must handle them carefully. Dropping your hearing aids could cause damage to the device, so make sure that you hold them carefully when putting them in and removing them.
• Keep your hearing aids away from water: Hearing aids will break if they are submerged in water, so you’ll need to be careful. They do have some degree of water resistance, so you can wear them in the rain, or in the shower. Too much water will damage them, so you’ll need to be mindful of this.
• Clean your hearing aids: Hearing aids can become damaged by earwax, so you must clean your devices regularly. You can clean your hearing aids using a toothbrush or a cotton swab. When you are cleaning, be careful of the mic and receiver.

Expecting Instant Improvements

When you first start using a hearing aid, you may not notice a big improvement right away. You’ll need a little time to get used to your hearing advice, so it’s important to be patient. To help you navigate this new experience it’s best to work with an ENT doctor. Here are a few key questions that you might like to ask your ENT doctor about your new device:

• What should I be doing to maintain my hearing aids?
• Should I be wearing my hearing aids all the time?
• When should I return for my follow-up appointment?
• Does my device include a warranty?

ENT Specialists 

If you believe you are experiencing hearing loss, you’ll need to make an appointment with an ENT doctor. Your ENT specialist will be able to perform a hearing test, to assess your level of hearing loss. Once you get the results, you’ll be invited to attend a hearing aid fitting. At the hearing aid fitting your doctor will help you to find the right hearing aid for you. To learn more about our practice, ENT Specialists, call us today at (402) 983-9948.