Audiology & Hearing Care of SWFL - Bonita Springs, FL

Man adjusting to new hearing aids by adjusting volume on his smartphone.

So you finally went out and bought a new pair of hearing aids. Well done, it’s a good start to enhancing the quality of your life. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology like modern hearing aids. The list with hearing aids is not huge, but it’s a significant one.

Caring for your hearing is not the only consideration. Your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do and your hearing aids will be less effective. 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

If you don’t explore the features that come with the brand you purchased and take the time to learn the basics of how your device works you could be missing out on powerful features. Most likely if you simply turn your new device on and put them right in, they won’t work efficiently for you. You might also lose out on the best features such as Bluetooth and noise filters.

You can ascertain how to get the clearest sound quality and work on the various adjustments that improve the hearing aid’s function if you merely slow down and read the included documentation.

You should have a basic idea of what your hearing aids can accomplish when you pick them. Now, take some time to learn how to use them.

2. It Takes Time For Your Ears to Adjust

Your eyes need to adapt to the shape of the frame and the difference in lenses when you get new glasses. This is also true when it comes to hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. That’s an unrealistic expectation.

There is an adaptation period your ears will require if you are new to wearing hearing aids. Consistency is the secret to adapting quickly to new hearing aids.

After you put them in leave them in. At first, you might have to fight the urge to take them out every few minutes. If you are not comfortable, consider why.

  • Is the sound too loud? Maybe you should turn down the volume.
  • Until you get used to it, take out the hearing aids when it gets uncomfortable. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids checked if they don’t seem to fit right..
  • Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Every day when you first put them in you should go to a quiet place for a few minutes. Sit down with a friend and talk. Ask them if you are talking too loud. This will help you make adjustments to balance out the sound.

Giving up is the biggest mistake you can make. Your hearing aids won’t do any good shoved in a drawer and forgotten about.

3. Get the Hearing Aid Fitted When You First Buy it

There is a lot involved in getting the correct hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. If you are not telling the truth about what you can and can’t hear during the hearing exam at the audiologist, that’s a problem. Hearing aids that aren’t The right ones for your type or level of hearing loss can be the result. Some hearing aids pick up a high-frequency sound by design for instance. If you have a difficult time hearing mid or low sounds, these are not the correct hearing aids for you.

In many circumstances, hearing aids may not seem to fit your lifestyle. If you have to be talking on your phone allot you will need to get a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.

While you are still in the trial period for your new hearing aids, take note of the times where you wanted your hearing aids to do something different or when it seemed like they didn’t function right. You can go back and talk about those concerns with your hearing care technician. It might just take an adjustment, or perhaps you need a different type of device.

Be sure to purchase your hearing aids from a seller that does fittings, too. They can’t be too big for your ears or they won’t work properly.

4. Careless Maintenance

Knowing when and how to maintain your hearing aids are the keys to success. Even if you’ve used hearing aids in the past you need to take the time to learn how to take care of your new device.

When you get your hearing aids, Take a close look at at the warning signs listed in the user manual such as using hair care products with your hearing aids in or not turning them off when you remove it.

Always, study the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.

Cleaning is a big part of caring for hearing aids, so make sure you understand all the hows and whys. Don’t stop at only cleaning the device, either. Correctly cleaning your ears is crucial too.

It’s up to you to make sure you get the most out of your new hearing aids. The process starts as you are shopping for them and proceeds when you begin wearing them. Schedule a hearing test with a hearing professional to learn what kind of hearing aid will work best for you.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.