4 FAQs About Hearing Aids

The number of people experiencing hearing loss is increasing. In many cases, audiologists will recommend a hearing aid to improve your hearing. When being fitted for a hearing aid, it’s very common to have a few questions about what they are, how they will help you and how to get the most out of them. 

Here are four questions audiologists are most often asked about hearing aids. 

What Is a Hearing Aid?

A good question because many people might think they know, or still have old-fashioned sense of what a hearing aid is. Advancements in hearing aid technology have been profound over the last decade. 

In simple terms, a hearing aid is a device that can be worn to help with hearing loss. They feature one or more microphones to detect sound, process it and send the sound to your ear. Some models have advanced features such as being able to connect directly to your smart TV or smartphone. 

Which Is the Best Type of Hearing Aid?

There are a few different types and styles of hearing aids, including in the ear (ITE) and behind the ear (BTE). There is no right answer to which is the best, only which is the best one for you. When deciding on a hearing aid, your audiologist will take into account your everyday activities and lifestyle first and make their recommendation based on this and which one they believe will help you maintain your lifestyle. 

How Do I Maintain My Hearing Aids?

To get the best from your hearing aids, and to keep them functioning efficiently, you will need to look after them. The process isn’t particularly difficult, but you do have to be consistent. When not wearing your hearing aids, you must store them safely. Don’t just throw them in a drawer. You can buy special storage boxes to protect them that also have the added benefit of taking moisture build up out of them too. 

Clean them regularly. Dirt and earwax can clog up the hearing aid, reducing the sound quality. At the first sign of damage or malfunction, you should take them to your audiologist to be repaired. 

How Long Can It Take to Adjust to Hearing Aids?

If you’ve been living with hearing loss for a long time, or if your hearing is particularly affected, then suddenly being able to hear at a normal volume can be disorienting. This is perfectly normal and you will find that you adjust to your new hearing levels very quickly. Some people will take longer than others to get to this stage, but if you have any concerns, an audiologist will be able to put your mind at rest. 

If you have any type of question about your hearing or hearing aids, then don’t hesitate to contact your audiologist. After all, they are used to dealing with these questions and will be able to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information about your hearing aids and how to care for them.