Common Mistakes Hearing Aid Owners Make
There’s a lot to learn when you buy new hearing aids, including what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s not just about looking after your hearing aids. If you don’t know how to handle them properly, they will be less functional and take longer to adjust to.
These are some of the common mistakes to avoid when you purchase hearing aids:
6 Common Mistakes New Hearing Aid Owners Make
Putting in Your Hearing Aids Right Away
Once you get new hearing aids, take some time to understand all their features. You may find some fantastic things like Bluetooth and noise cancellation that you could have missed if you wore your devices straight from the box.
Reading the manual and trying out different settings before putting them on gives you a deeper understanding of how the hearing aids work before wearing them.
Overuse and Underuse
If you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed by the sound, you can take your hearing aids out for a while. Here are some usage tips:
- Take short breaks if you feel the hearing aid is uncomfortable.
- If the sound is too loud, reduce the volume.
- If the background noise seems overwhelming, going to a calm place where you can be alone helps.
Once you get used to your hearing aids, it is recommended that you wear them daily for at least 8 hours per day to get the most out of them.
Putting Up with Discomfort
Hearing aids that are correctly fitted should not cause pain, irritation, or a rash. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, schedule an appointment with your audiologist. However, hearing specialists do recommend that you not abandon hearing aids after one negative experience. Instead, be sure to identify the source of the irritation so you can correct it. It may be something as easy as a quick adjustment.
Underestimating the Adjustment Period
Just as it takes some time to adjust from darkness to light, becoming accustomed to hearing aids may take a little while. For most people to get used to their hearing aids, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Neglecting Maintenance
Hearing aids are more susceptible to the environment than most other electronic gadgets. They’re also more sensitive to moisture from sweat or rain and dirt from earwax buildup and airborne dust. As a result, they need routine at-home maintenance.
Make sure to clean them and understand all the troubleshooting and maintenance instructions guidelines. Also, be sure to clean your ears as well.
Not Following Up with a Hearing Specialist
Your hearing specialist is a professional who wants to ensure you have the right hearing aid for your needs and your lifestyle. If something doesn’t seem right or doesn’t seem to be operating as well as it should, say something. They will be able to customize the device to meet your specific requirements, ensuring that you receive the most value for your money.
Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all situation. Some people experience hearing loss in the lower pitches, while others have hearing loss in the higher pitches. There are also those that have hearing across all pitches.
Different hearing aids are made to remedy different types of hearing loss, so be sure to get your hearing tested before you purchase them.
Book a Personalized Hearing Test with Bravo Hearing
At Bravo, our hearing specialists are ready to address your concerns. We provide hearing aid sales, hearing tests, counselling, and follow-up appointments. We also offer a variety of hearing aid accessories.
Please book a free hearing test to get advice from our experts today! We will help you find the best hearing aid for your needs.