What Happens When You Get Hearing Aids?

Hearing loss can happen for many reasons. While changes to our hearing tend to be more common with age, age is far from being the only factor. In fact, the most common cause is prolonged exposure to loud noises, which is often the case for concertgoers or those who work in loud environments like construction sites. But there can be other causes, including infections, injuries, genetics, and even certain medical conditions and medications, which can all affect your hearing health. 

Hearing loss is typically permanent; however, there are some cases where it can be temporary, such as when linked to medications. The type and severity of hearing loss can vary from one person to another. That is why getting hearing aids isn’t as simple as finding the first device that makes sounds louder. 

The Right Hearing Aids for You

If you suspect your hearing health has changed, a professional hearing test is the best first step. Self-diagnosing based on symptoms alone won’t tell you which frequencies you struggle with or establish the degree and type of hearing loss you have. 

If testing indicates that amplifying the sound can help, you can get hearing aids selected and programmed according to your individual needs. This will also include considerations about your lifestyle, your dexterity and preferences. Ultimately, hearing aids come in different designs, and some may work better for you than others. 

Bear in mind that there’s more than just the design to consider. There are different types of hearing devices: 

• Behind-the-ear 
• Receiver-in-canal
• Completely-in-canal

Additionally, modern models also include rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, and tech designed to make speech even easier to hear in noisy environments. 

The bottom line: You need expert advice. 

Looking After Your Hearing Aids Every Day

You likely wear hearing aids for several hours every day, during which they are exposed to earwax, skin oils, moisture, and dirt. So, maintenance needs to be a top priority to keep them for longer. 

First of all, wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling your hearing aids. You also need to regularly wipe the devices using a clean and dry cloth when you take them off. Some models also come with wax guards or clean domes, which need replacing on a regular basis. 

Typically, hearing aids are not designed for water exposure, which means you should remove them before showering or swimming. Similarly, they need to be stored in a clean and dry environment when you are not wearing them. 

Finally, when it comes to batteries, rechargeable devices come with the manufacturer’s instructions for charging. If yours use disposable batteries, ideally you should always have a spare set available. 

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Not every problem means the device is broken. 

If you can’t hear anything, start by checking whether your hearing aid is switched on and sufficiently charged. With battery-powered models, it can be worth replacing the battery before trying again. Also, a blocked wax guard can reduce or fully stop sound. 

Whistling or feedback tends to happen when the hearing aid isn’t inserted correctly or when there is too much earwax. 

Distorted sound often indicates moisture or debris issues. Follow the cleaning instructions provided to clear the problem. 

Finally, Bluetooth problems can often be resolved by restarting the hearing aids and pairing them again to your phone. 

Are you going to wear hearing aids? Then it is important that you learn how to look after them properly so you can enjoy clear sounds day after day. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.