In Germany, about 12 million people are affected by hearing loss. The number of unreported cases is probably higher, as many do not notice the symptoms until late or not at all. If the decision is made to do something about hearing loss, a hearing aid usually helps. But many people find it difficult to get used to them. We have summarized practical tips for you that will make it easier for you to use your hearing aid.
Why many shy away from a hearing aid
Only about 16 percent of those affected compensate for their hearing loss with a hearing aid – and this despite the fact that the hearing loss does not improve without help, but steadily worsens. There may be several reasons for this:
- Aesthetic objections
- The fear of not being able to cope with the technique
- Concerns about whether the device will bring anything at all
- Upcoming costs
Steady deterioration of hearing performance
Many sufferers also do not seek medical help at all until years later, as the gradual process of hearing loss is often only noticed at an advanced stage. This can affect more than just hearing performance per se: Accompanying symptoms such as headaches, reduced cognitive performance or fatigue can also accompany hearing loss. There is something that can be done about the fear that the care and handling of the hearing system is too complicated: specialists such as hearing care professionals will be happy to advise you and show you the different types of devices. Modern hearing aids also have many functions that make everyday life easier for you. For example, there is the option of connecting the hearing aid to your smartphone or television.
How to get used to your hearing aid
Your hearing aid is not only a technically sophisticated product, but an exact custom-made fit for your ear. Still, it won’t always quite match your natural hearing. Especially in the beginning, most sufferers need some time to get used to the device. This is partly due to the handling – the devices usually offer various settings in the form of hearing programs in order to adapt optimally to different environmental or conversational situations. This can be somewhat confusing at first. Another reason is that during the months of hearing loss, the brain has forgotten how to deal with normal background noise. Since it receives far fewer stimuli than before, it gradually forgets how soft sounds such as birds chirping or leaves rustling sound and how it uses its filter function. For people with normal hearing, this function is used to filter out unimportant stimuli. If the brain is now exposed to an almost normal noise level again through a hearing aid, it perceives this as loud and disturbing, even if modern hearing aids suppress the noise and support the useful sound in noise-intensive situations. Therefore: Give your brain time to do its job again. It may well take a few weeks until you get used to the new hearing sensation.
Make the acclimation period easier
Here are six helpful tips to ease the initial time with your hearing aid from day one:
- Talk to your ENT doctor and hearing care professional. You can usually subject the new device to practice tests in everyday life so that its profile can be tailored to your exact needs. Have the insertion, handling and care explained to you in detail – even several times.
- Wear your new device regularly – should the acoustic impressions overwhelm you, wear the hearing aid initially only a few hours and then increase the wearing time step by step. The goal should be to wear the hearing aid permanently.
- Expose yourself to rather quiet situations, especially in the beginning, where few people are talking at the same time and there are no loud or numerous background noises. In a crowded pub where music is blaring, you will overload your brain.
- Also keep the noise level in your everyday life low: use quiet electrical appliances, block out street noise, do not run the radio, TV and dishwasher in the background (or even simultaneously).
- Look at the lips of your conversation partner, pay attention to his facial expressions and gestures. This way you can train to match what you hear with lip movements. Ask your friends and colleagues to always address you from the front and make themselves known in advance.
- If your hearing loss has been present for a long time, your speech may already have suffered. Your voice then sounds too loud or washed out. Ask your doctor whether a perception training is useful for you to improve this disorder.
Hearing aid cleaning and care – 5 golden rules.
Hearing aids are robust and designed for everyday use. Nevertheless, you should keep a few points in mind when caring for them to increase their lifespan:
- Clean the hearing aid daily: remove earwax from the device with a dry cloth. The earmold should be cleaned regularly overnight with a cleaning fluid. Be sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards. Special products for this purpose are available from a hearing care professional. He will also tell you about the differences in the care of the various hearing systems.
- Avoid exposing the device to moisture (showers, swimming, rain). Store it overnight in a “dry bag” (this removes moisture).
- Do not drop the hearing aid or expose it to great heat (blazing sun, high temperatures in the car), heavy dirt or hairspray or powder.
- Use a case for storage and transportation and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
- For vacation: have the function of the device checked beforehand and remember care products and spare batteries.
