What Your Audiologist Wants You to Know about Your First Hearing Aid
Posted on: 26 September 2022
Your first hearing aid is a big purchase and an even bigger adjustment. It can be a lot of information to take in all at once. Here are some things your audiologist wants you to know as you begin this new chapter.
Caring for Your Device
Your hearing aid is a sensitive and expensive piece of technology. You'll need to take special care of it to ensure it lasts. Be sure to keep it dry, clean the exterior daily with a soft cloth, and avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. In addition, you should remove your hearing aid before participating in any activity that could result in excessive moisture or perspiration, such as showering, swimming, or working out.
Don't hesitate to talk to your audiologist if you have any questions or concerns.
Regularly Scheduled Check-ups
It's important to keep up with regular appointments with your audiologist, even after you've gotten used to wearing your hearing aid. These appointments provide an opportunity for them to check in with you about how you're doing and answer any questions you might have. They also allow them to maintain and professionally deep clean your hearing aid so that it continues to function properly.
Dealing with Feedback
Feedback is the high-pitched squealing sound that can sometimes occur when wearing a hearing aid. It happens when the amplified sound from the hearing aid escapes through the ear canal instead of being directed into the ear or when the incoming sound is blocked. Feedback can occur if the earmold or dome isn't inserted properly, if there's a wax buildup in the ear canal, or if the volume is set too high.
If you're experiencing feedback, try removing your hearing aid and reinserting it. If that doesn't work, try using a wax guard or cleaning your ear canal. You can gently remove excess wax from around the dome using a soft cloth. If you're still having trouble, contact your audiologist for assistance.
Managing Expectations
Although hearing aids can be very helpful, they aren't perfect and won't completely restore normal hearing. They will make sounds louder and clearer, but they can't make every sound loud enough for you to hear perfectly. In addition, because they are small devices with many moving parts, they can sometimes break or malfunction.
Keep these things in mind as you adjust to life with a hearing aid. When you buy your first hearing aid, there's a lot of information to take in all at once. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your hearing aid or hearing loss, reach out to your audiologist & hearing aid professional for help.
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