Many prescription hearing aid users struggle with their devices, experiencing discomfort, irritation, or poor sound quality, which can make daily wear challenging. While this physical or auditory intolerance is common, it's not inevitable.
The downsides of hearing aids
"I can’t tolerate my hearing aids" is a recurring common complaint among users.
But why don’t hearing aids always work as expected? Let’s explore and break this down:
- Physical discomfort: : poorly fitted ear molds can cause pain and irritation, making everyday wear uncomfortable.
- Poor sound quality: some users report unpleasant metallic sounds for high pitch, and noisy environments can make it difficult to understand conversations, even with hearing aids.
- Autophony: many users experience the uncomfortable sensation of hearing their own voice amplified unnaturally.
- Feedback noise: high-pitched whistling (feedback) may occur if the hearing aids are improperly fitted or adjusted.
Why do some hearing aids fail to meet expectations?
While life-changing for many, hearing aids can be challenging for some users. Here are a few common reasons:
- Adjustment and fitting: Proper tuning and fitting, especially for in-ear devices, are crucial for comfort and functionality. Poor initial fitting often leads to dissatisfaction. Additionally, after prolonged untreated hearing loss, users may need more time for their brain to relearn and reactivate sound memory.
- Handling difficulties: Daily maintenance and adjustments can be challenging, particularly for users with reduced dexterity due to conditions like arthritis or Parkinson’s disease. Prescription hearing needs to be cleaned and recharged daily.
- Earwax build-up: Earwax (cerumen) blockages are common among hearing aid users, affecting both comfort and device performance.
- Amplification of all sounds: Hearing aid microphones amplify both the wearer’s voice and surrounding noise, which can make conversations harder to follow and reduce clarity.
How to improve hearing quality?
If someone in your circle asks, "Why can’t I hear well with my hearing aids?" Here are some potential solutions:
- Custom ear molds: These improve comfort, fit and sound retention in the ear canal, while newer devices incorporate technologies to reduce background noise.
- Hearing assistants: A great alternative for users who struggle with their prescription hearing aids. These devices are easy to operate, and are designed for maximum comfort, with features like simple on/off functionality.
- Advanced systems like Spokeo: Spokeo devices use both bone and air conduction for crystal-clear sound transmission. The Spokeo Smart Mic, in particular, focuses on capturing the speaker’s voice, ensuring clearer, more effective communication.
Conclusion
Wearing hearing aids daily can lead to discomfort or intolerance, but solutions exist to enhance the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Consulting an ENT specialist can help users get properly adjusted devices through an audiologist. For those seeking an alternative, solutions like Spokeo offer exceptional auditory comfort and clarity.
