4 Errors New Hearing Aid Owners Make (and How to Prevent Them)

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

So you finally went out and invested in a new pair of hearing aids. Good job taking the first step to enhance your quality of life. There is a lot to learn when you buy new technology like modern hearing aids, and that includes the things you shouldn’t do. The list with hearing aids is not long, but it’s an important one.

It’s not just about taking care of your hearing aids, either. The device will be less useful and your adjustment time will be slowed by the things you fail to do. 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. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear

If you don’t check out the features that are included with the brand you bought and take the time to understand the basics of how your device works you could be overlooking powerful features. More than likely, your hearing aids won’t work effectively if you simply turn them on and put them in. Bluetooth and noise filters are some of the best features that you may also miss out on.

Conversely, if you slow it down a little and read the documentation that came with the device, you can determine how to attain the cleanest sound quality and work on the various adjustments that improve the hearing aid’s function.

you will have a basic idea of what your hearing aids can do when you pick them. It will take a little more time but you have to learn how to use them correctly.

2. Consider The Adjustment Period

Your eyes need to adapt to the change in the lenses and the shape of the frame when you get a new pair of glasses. There is also an adjustment period with hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. It doesn’t work that way.

Your ears will require a couple days to adapt to what is a massive change, especially if you haven’t worn hearing aids in the past. Adjusting to new hearing aids as quickly as possible is all about consistency.

Once you’ve put them in leave them in. Frequently, new users have an urge to keep taking them out. That urge needs to be ignored. If you are uncomfortable, ask yourself why.

  • Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Go to a quiet place for a few minutes when you first put them in each day. Sit and talk with a friend. Ask them if you are talking too loud. By doing this, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
  • Take out the hearing aid if it gets uncomfortable for short intervals. If the hearing aids just don’t seem to fit right, go back to the seller and have them checked.
  • Is the noise too loud? Maybe you should turn the volume down.

The most substantial mistake you can make is giving up. If you shove your hearing aids in a drawer and forget about them, they will do you no good.

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

There is a lot involved in getting the right hearing aids, and it begins before you even start shopping. When you’re at the audiologist, if you are not telling the truth about what you can and what you can’t hear at the test, that’s a problem. Hearing aids that aren’t right for your type or level of hearing loss can be the result. Some hearing aids pick up a high-frequency sound by design for example. If you have a hard time hearing mid or low tones, these are not the best hearing aids for you.

Your lifestyle, in certain cases may not seem well suited to hearing aids. Bluetooth technology is a feature that you will need if you use a phone allot.

Take note of when you want your hearing aid to do something different or when they’re not working properly when you are still in the trial period. Your hearing care technician can discuss that with you if you bring them back. It could just take an adjustment, or perhaps you need a different type of device.

When you purchase your hearing aids be sure to find a retailer that does free fittings. They won’t work right if they are too big for your ears.

4. Neglected Maintenance

Successful maintenance of your hearing aids starts with understanding how and when to do it. Take the time to figure out how to take care of your hearing aids even if this isn’t your first pair.

There are some things you don’t want to do when you have your hearing aids in like using hair products when you have them in or taking them out without turning them off so read your documentation.

Additionally, study the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.

Keeping it clean is an important part of caring for hearing aids, so be sure to understand all the hows and whys. Don’t stop at only cleaning the device, either. Properly cleaning your ears is essential too.

If you want to get the most out of your hearing aids, the ball is in your court. It’s an ongoing process from shopping to use. Get a hearing test with a hearing specialist 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.