Written by Dean Shaban, MFA | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Published on May 1, 2024
Key takeaways:
Common issues with hearing aids include a poor fit or the feeling that the hearing aid isn’t helping much.
When starting to wear a hearing aid, it’s easier to slowly introduce it and work up to wearing it full-time.
You may need to play around with different styles, designs, and types of hearing aids to find one that matches your ear shape and fits well.
Table of contents
Common issues
Tips for sound
Background noise
Tips for comfort
Types
Best device
Check-in
Bottom line
References
Kunlathida Petchuen/iStock via Getty Images Plus
There are many hurdles to wearing hearing aids. Some people don’t want to wear them because they’re embarrassed, and others find them difficult to use. A review article found that people didn’t use their hearing aids for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons? Hearing aids were said to be unhelpful, hard to put in, uncomfortable, and less effective in noisy environments.
But there’s a lot you can do to overcome these issues. Here are some of the best tips to help you get the most out of your hearing aids. It may take some patience — and some trial and error — but it’s worth sticking with it so you can participate more fully with the people around you.
Common issues with hearing aids
You’re not alone if you’ve struggled with your hearing aids or if you’re putting off getting them. Here are some common complaints people have with hearing aids:
They don’t improve hearing. Many people say the main reason they don’t use their hearing aids is because they offer little to no help.
They’re not helpful in loud environments. The next most common reason is they pick up too much background noise in loud environments like a restaurant.
They create unwanted noises. Hearing aids can produce feedback or whistling sounds, which are uncomfortable. This whistling can happen from an amplification feedback loop.
They’re uncomfortable. Some people find hearing aids irritating to wear or struggle to keep them securely in place.
They’re hard to handle. Because they’re small, hearing aids can be challenging to manage, especially for aging adults who have less dexterity or vision issues.
Tips for clearer audibility
If your hearing aid doesn’t feel like it’s helping, there are a few things you can check:
Fit: If it’s not positioned in your ear correctly, it won’t work as well and may cause feedback noises. A buildup of wax can also affect the fit and feedback. Have your audiologist or other healthcare professional check your ear canal for wax.
Volume: You may need to adjust the volume in different environments. Many hearing aids can connect to apps on your smartphone so you can control the volume remotely.
Plugged-up sensation: Many people new to hearing aids report having a “plugged-up” sensation. This is when your own voice sounds louder than normal in your head. It may be helpful to check the device’s fit and settings with your audiologist. They can help you adjust the frequency balance between lows and highs on your devices. Most people get used to this effect over time.
Batteries: Check the batteries in your hearing aid to make sure they haven’t died.
While adjusting to your hearing aids, and checking in on the above, it helps to practice one-on-one conversations. This will help you get used to the sound of your own voice.
How to cut background noise
Feedback and background noise can make hearing aids hard to tolerate if not addressed.
One common issue is when the hearing aid can’t tell the difference between necessary sounds and unwanted sounds. This happens when background noise comes into the hearing aid at the same frequency as the direct sound. To help reduce background noise, you can adjust the volume controls on your hearing aid between low and high frequencies. If adjusting the controls on your device doesn’t fix the issue, talk with your audiologist. They can help you adjust them.
Earwax or any buildup in the ear can also cause background noise. Try to keep your ears clean when wearing hearing aids to minimize this problem.
Some people also experience feedback from their cell phones, although newer phones are less likely to cause this. The radio signal from your phone can interfere with your hearing aid. To prevent this, test your hearing aid with your phone nearby when you first try it on. If your cell phone does cause this issue, speak with your audiologist about finding a different hearing aid that won’t interact with your phone.
Tips to improve comfort
First, make sure the earpiece fits comfortably and snugly in your ears. A well-fitting hearing aid shouldn’t cause irritation. To make sure you’re putting them in correctly, practice taking them in and out with your audiologist. Your audiologist can also help determine if the discomfort is because of a poor fit.
It’s helpful to ease into using hearing aids. If you’re a first-time user, you may not want to wear them all day, every day. Using them this often at first can cause difficulty adjusting.
Start by wearing them for 1 to 2 hours at a time. Then, take them out for the same amount of time. Once you get accustomed to your hearing aids, usually after 1 or 2 weeks, you can begin to ramp up to full-day use. It can take about a month to get used to them. Just be sure to work up to wearing them all day. Regular use helps your brain get accustomed to the sound differences. And not wearing them can lead to other issues like social isolation.
Types of hearing devices :
The older style of hearing aids is analog, and the newer ones are digital. Analog hearing aids amplify sound from outside the device through electric signals. Digital devices create numerical codes from the sound waves before amplifying them. Beyond these differences, there are three styles of aids:
Behind-the-ear: A small, hard plastic case wraps around the back of the ear with a mold that fits inside the outer ear. Sound travels from the plastic case, through the mold, and into your ear. This style is for all forms of hearing loss.
In-the-ear: A small, hard plastic case fits directly in your outer ear, and sound travels electronically through the device into your ear. This style is for mild to severe hearing loss.
Canal: These hearing aids fit inside the ear canal and function similarly to the in-the-ear devices. This style is for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Best hearing aids
Each person is different. Which type of hearing aid is best for you depends on:
How the device fits your ear
The degree of your hearing loss
How you feel while wearing it
The cost of the device
Larger and custom-designed hearing aids are usually easier to use for people with dexterity issues or cognitive impairments. Different colors on the devices can also help since many people with hearing loss are aging and also have vision problems.
Other features that make hearing aids easier to use include:
Oversized buttons for volume control
The ability to connect to a smartphone to manage your hearing aid
Rechargeable devices so you don’t have to replace the tiny batteries
In recent years, over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids have become more available. These don’t require a prescription or medical fitting, which makes them more affordable and accessible. You can purchase these at stores or online and fit them to your ear at home.
They are best for mild to moderate hearing loss, but may not be a good choice if your hearing loss is more severe. They also tend to pick up more background noise. And you may still need to see an audiologist to help you with fitting and adjustments.
When to talk to your audiologist
If your hearing aids make it difficult to hear, speak with your audiologist. They can guide you through the steps to improve comfort levels and sound quality.
They may:
Adjust the volume and sound controls
Update the ear mold
Change the fit on your ear
Replace the device with something different that works better for you
Studies have also shown that people do better with hearing aids when their audiologist takes time to teach them how to use them. It’s also a good idea to have an annual follow-up appointment to make sure the fit and type of hearing aid is still good for you. You may want to speak with your audiologist if any of the following happen while wearing your hearing aids:
You have difficulty understanding what someone is saying, regardless of how loud their voice sounds.
You can hear sounds, like an oncoming car when driving, but you can’t tell which direction it’s coming from. In this case, your audiologist may recommend two hearing aids to improve directional hearing.
Your hearing aids are causing physical or psychological stress or negatively affecting your quality of life.
Your audiologist can also provide advice on OTC hearing aids if prescription aids are out of your budget. They can tell you what to look for in a device and how to properly fit it to your ear.
The bottom line
It can take some patience and trial and error to get the most out of your hearing aids. The two main concerns when trying on a new hearing aid are comfort level and how well it helps you hear. At the audiologist’s office, practice putting them on to make sure they feel snug and secure on your ear. You’ll need to adjust the controls to find the right volume and to reduce background noise. It’s best to ease into using hearing aids, with the goal of wearing them full-time. It’s always helpful to speak with your audiologist if you have ongoing issues.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2016). My audiologist says i need hearing aids…now what?
Hearing Loss Association of America. (n.d.). Hearing aids.
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