When it comes to hearing aids, nearly all first-time users deal with certain growing pains. Thankfully, many of these issues can be addressed by avoiding making these common user mistakes.
User Errors
- Not being completely honest during your hearing test. During the exam, you may be tempted to guess an answer if you’re unsure. While this seems harmless, it can have the unintentional effect of causing your audiologist to recommend hearing aids that don’t match up with your specific needs.
- Not learning how your device works. This may seem obvious, but some users will just pop in their hearing aids without taking the time to learn about all the features of their particular device. Your audiologist or hearing aid expert will walk you through a lot of the ins and outs, but it’s also recommended to read through the user manual and try out different settings to get a feel for it.
- Expecting too much too soon. It’s tempting to think that the second you put your hearing aids on for the first time, you’ll experience perfect hearing. The truth is, there is always an adjustment phase. Research shows the benefits of new hearing aids improve over the first 10 weeks of use. Try to start slowly. See how you respond during conversations with your spouse or a close friend in a quiet setting. Ask them about your voice volume and make adjustments. As you get more familiar with your device, visit louder places like Highland Lanes and see what that’s like. If you need to turn the volume down or make other adjustments, know that’s a completely normal part of adjusting to your new way of hearing.
- Not taking care of your device. Being a first-time user, you might underestimate the importance of a daily cleaning routine. However, if you allow moisture, earwax and other debris to buildup, your aid’s sound quality and overall performance will diminish. Follow the care tips provided by your hearing expert and become familiar with troubleshooting instructions as well.
Experience All the Benefits of Hearing Aids
By avoiding these common mistakes and giving yourself time to adjust you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits hearing aids have to offer, which include:
- Lower levels of anxiety and depression
- Improved physical health
- Lower risk of falls or balance issues
- Lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia
- Better interactions with others
- More confidence at work
If you are a first-time hearing aid user and have questions or need to make an appointment with one of our specialists, call Austin Auditory Specialists today.