Summary

The article discusses the challenges and misconceptions associated with wearing hearing aids, emphasizing the need for patience and gradual adjustment.

Abstract

The author shares personal insights into the struggles of adapting to hearing aids, highlighting that hearing improvement is not immediate and that the experience is not as straightforward as putting on glasses. The article emphasizes that hearing aids require an adjustment period, during which one must slowly get used to new sounds and the sensation of hearing one's own voice. Despite initial frustration and the complexity of self-adjusting over-the-counter devices, the author remains hopeful and plans to persist with the process, including seeking professional advice.

Opinions

The author initially expected immediate hearing improvement with hearing aids, similar to the experience of using glasses, but found this not to be the case.
Wearing hearing aids for the first time can lead to overstimulation and discomfort, which may cause individuals to abandon their use prematurely.
The author acknowledges that self-fitting hearing aids may not be as effective without professional guidance and suggests that price should not be a barrier to effective hearing solutions.
The article suggests that hearing loss and the process of adapting to hearing aids is a gradual process, requiring time and patience.
The author expresses a commitment to a slow and steady approach to using hearing aids, with the hope of eventually experiencing the benefits of restored hearing.

“Why Won’t You Wear Your Hearing Aids?”

I used to say this, but now it’s what I hear.

Over-the-counter hearing aids are available everywhere. From QVC to Wal-Mart. If you get frustrated because your mom or dad doesn’t wear their hearing aids, here are three things you should know.

1. Your hearing isn’t restored the first time you wear them.

I thought I could hear better; I wanted to hear better. Truth was, I couldn’t hear everything I thought I would have.

People introduced themselves, and I still couldn’t hear their names. I thought it was because of the background noises or I didn’t have the volume high enough.

Maybe it was directional, and I didn’t have them adjusted correctly.

I wanted them to work immediately, and they didn’t fix it. I was determined not to be like others I know who got frustrated with them and stopped trying.

2. They’re not like wearing glasses.

When you put on your glasses the first time, you’re amazed at what you can see. Everything is clearer, and you wonder how you got by without them.

If you have progressive lenses, stairs are an issue, but you quickly adjust.

Not so with hearing aids. You’re not sure you’re hearing everything correctly and tend to turn the volume too high. Then you’re so thrilled that you’re going to be able to hear well again; you wear them too long the first time.

At least I did, and the next day, I couldn’t stand to wear them. I had ringing in my ears, and my head felt overloaded. It’s difficult to describe; your senses have been bombarded with sounds and decibels you haven’t experienced in a long time.

And I still couldn’t hear well with them. I was frustrated and left them in their case, and I haven’t tried them again.

3. There’s an adjustment period to getting used to them.

There must be a better way; the smiling people on television who pop them in and all is right with the world aren’t telling you the truth.

Full disclaimer: I haven’t had my hearing checked by a hearing professional. In the quick-fix world, we think we can take care of it ourselves. The rechargeable hearing aids or the ones from Bose that I bought let you do it yourself.

“When you first get hearing aids, those parts of the ear and brain that have been dormant can become overstimulated.” This is according to an AARP article.

This article suggests you start out slowly and get used to hearing your own voice again. Read aloud to yourself and experience your own voice again.

Certain parts of your brain become inactive with hearing loss and need to readjust to the new sensations.

This may be why I felt so confused or overwhelmed after the first time I wore mine.

So what’s next? I ask myself.

Will I ever be able to hear the sea from a sea shell or experience the ocean waves again?

You notice hearing loss slowly over time, so why not give yourself time to adjust to them slowly? We can follow the advice, start off slowly, and allow our brain time to adjust to experiencing sounds again.

I’m going to start over and try again, starting with a few hours and working up to an 8-hour day. In time, I hope I’ll experience restoration as I do with glasses.

We should also include a professional hearing test. Perhaps soon, they’ll embrace otc hearing aids as well as custom devices. Price shouldn’t be the factor between hearing or not.

Over-the-counter aids give us options we didn’t have before. And we have to learn to grow with these options.