If you are preparing for a hearing consultation and fitting, then a huge congratulations is in order! You are in the minority of people who choose to take action around your hearing loss. Of those 70 and older who could benefit from hearing loss, only 30 percent have ever tried them. However, for those who do, you can experience more ease in your everyday interactions, improved professional, and personal relationships, improved cognitive health and a reduced risk of falls and accidents.
Most people, once they get used to living with the amplified benefits of hearing aids, can’t imagine ever living without them—but choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. The good news is that we are here to help. Hearing aids are an incredibly important investment in your overall health, and we can help you decide what features, styles, programming, and more is right for you, your lifestyle and your price point. We believe that the more questions you ask, the more you will understand, so ask away. To get the most out of your upcoming hearing aid consultation, have some questions prepared that you want to know ahead of time. Here are some frequently asked questions we hear all the time about people when starting out with new hearing aids.
SHOULD I ALWAYS WEAR MY HEARING AIDS?
We recommend that you wear your hearing aids from the moment you wake up till the time just before you put your head on the pillow to rest. The only time you should take them out during the day is when bathing, swimming, or any other wet activity such as getting caught out in the rain. It may seem like a lot to commit to at first, but when you have your hearing aids in you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.
Wearing your hearing aids all day long maximizes hearing in all environments improving communication, spatial awareness as well as improving safety when completing tasks and running errands.
WILL MY HEARING AIDS WORK IMMEDIATELY?
Your hearing aids will be fully functioning from the start but unlike new glasses which correct vision immediately, hearing aids take time to get used to. Many people wait on average seven to ten years from the time they suspect they have a hearing loss to seek treatment. Over this time you may have become used to missing sounds you can now hear due to hearing aids. Give your brain some time to adjust to hearing these “old, new” skills. Start slowly at home and build up to wearing them all day long by around two weeks.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAINTAINING MY HEARING AIDS?
Most hearing aids last on average 5 to 7 years. While this may not seem like long, consider how much work they do every single day while going just about everywhere you do. To get the most out of your hearing aids, make sure you follow our care recommendations. Add cleaning them to your nightly hygiene routine. Become accustomed to how your hearing aids work so you can identify a malfunction or damage if present. Clean earwax dirt and debris off your hearing aids with a dry soft cloth and use a gentle pick to lightly pull earwax out of crevices.
If you live in a particularly humid environment, then you may find that investing in a dehumidifier for your hearing aids can avoid damaging moisture from building up causing corrosion and potential short circuits.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I SHOULD CHANGE THE BATTERY?
Today, more and more hearing aids are available with a rechargeable battery. This means that if you plug them in overnight you can rely on a strong charge to get you through the whole day. This avoids dexterity issues for those who struggled with arthritis as they changed out small batteries every 3 to 5 days. However, there are still several hearing aids on the market which use disposable batteries. Make sure you know how to supply power to your hearing aids. For those with replaceable batteries it’s recommended to always travel with spare pairs and for those with rechargeable batteries, make sure you always have an emergency charger on hand.
If you feel like you are ready to take the leap and try hearing aids for the first time or are ready for an upgrade, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your next hearing exam.