topic Re: Getting used to hearing aids in Wellness

Getting used to hearing aids

GoneButNotForgotten — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:11:27 GMT

Who has gone through this period of adjustment? Mine are in-the-ear and it takes some getting used to. Sure is weird.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

HLP — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:32:18 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
Who has gone through this period of adjustment? Mine are in-the-ear and it takes some getting used to. Sure is weird.

I am right now, and I know what you mean. I have 2,plus I wear O2, and glasses. I don't think I need them, but my Son and DIL says I do, so I only wear them when they come over.Kid,s can be bossy.They say I play the TV too loud, but of course I tell them that I like it that way. I'm always afraid I;ll lose them in the commode and flush. I'm also constantly sticking my finger in my ear to make sure the little ball is still there, so not a good look. Mine are rechargable,and can adjust with my phone but I'd just as soon flush them. I don't know if it gets better.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

10000thnickname — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:46:57 GMT

I did a few years ago. I'm used to them now. I love them now!

I got mine at Beltone and they adjusted mine step by step over a few months until they were at the volume I needed. They kept testing them with me until they were just right.

I wonder how I ever survived without them.

Give them time and you will adjust to them. Mine gave me my life back.

Make sure you wear them most of the day....then you can get used to them.
I recharge mine at night.
I've had mine about 3 years now. I am 80....I love hearing the birds singing again!

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

drizzellla — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:56:29 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten Really you will get used to them.

And believe it or not it will become that you are so used to them that you have to stick a finger in your ear to figure out if the hearing aids are in your ear.

I am so used to mine. I have taken a shower and not realized that I never took them out.

You will be so glad that you have hearing aids sometime down the road. I have had a nasty cold and both my ears are clogged that I can't hear much out of either ear. At least I have hearing aids to be some help until my appointment with the ENT Doctor.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

CelticCrafter — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:59:24 GMT

I wish my husband would realize it's not fun having to repeat things two or three times before I say, forget it, it wasn't important or that it's not fun constantly telling him to turn the volume down or stop yelling because he can't hear himself.

What bothers me more than any of those things is having our 2 1/2 year old grandson standing there saying Poppy, Poppy, Poppy and him not even looking up because he can't hear him.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

Nightowlz — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:07:20 GMT

My MIL finally got hearing aids last year. She will be 95 in 10 days. She uses them with her cell phone.

At least DH can now have a discussion when needed without the what or huh I can't hear you. DH has a low deep voice so it's hard on his throat when he had to yell so she could hear him. He would get laryngitis.

I know when my time comes I won't like them. Earplugs drive me crazy when I use them. They make my ears itch. I'm going to have to get used to them. They are going to start some major construction on the roads out of here in 2028. It's going to be noisy. I like the peace & quiet so I won't be wearing hearing aids unless I'm talking with someone.

My FIL never would wear them. He was always saying what, huh?

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

bronxgal1 — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:35:06 GMT

I have my hearing aids for about 2 years. I fought getting them for years.

One day I was at my daughters house sitting around the dining table with my daighter, son in law and grandsons and someone said something and everyone laughed--except me! I did not hear what was said --it was embarrassing.

That scene reminded me of my mom years before-same thing-she just sat there not hearing what was said.

I went and got mine. It was hard in the beginning! something foreign in my ears.

But I faithfully put them in every day and got used to them.

It is wonderful to hear what everyone is saying and be part of it all. So go ahead and get yourself hearin aids---you won't be sorry!

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

Big Joanie — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:34:03 GMT

I should wear mine more ... but not only do they raise the

volume of people speaking but all back ground noise as

well ....

I have gotten to the point that even though I can't hear

noise at certain levels is really bothersome ....

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

Q-Checker — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:48:51 GMT

@BigJoanie - I suggest, if possible, that you see an audiologist who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Soeech-Language-Hearing Association, who may be able to fit you with hearing aids that will decrease background noise.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

LizzieInSRQ — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:42:02 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
My MIL finally got hearing aids last year. She will be 95 in 10 days. She uses them with her cell phone.
At least DH can now have a discussion when needed without the what or huh I can't hear you. DH has a low deep voice so it's hard on his throat when he had to yell so she could hear him. He would get laryngitis.
I know when my time comes I won't like them. Earplugs drive me crazy when I use them. They make my ears itch. I'm going to have to get used to them. They are going to start some major construction on the roads out of here in 2028. It's going to be noisy. I like the peace & quiet so I won't be wearing hearing aids unless I'm talking with someone.
My FIL never would wear them. He was always saying what, huh?

This is where you would consider over the ear type with a small dome

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

Q-Checker — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 01:22:49 GMT

@LizzieInSRQ When the ime comes for you to be fitted with hearing aids, ask about behind the ear models since you reported that ear plugs cause itching in your ear canal. There are advantages and disadvantages to them, but it may be worth inquiring if they are suitable for your hearing loss.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

LizzieInSRQ — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 13:45:25 GMT

@Q-Checker wrote:
@LizzieInSRQ When the ime comes for you to be fitted with hearing aids, ask about behind the ear models since you reported that ear plugs cause itching in your ear canal. There are advantages and disadvantages to them, but it may be worth inquiring if they are suitable for your hearing loss.

@Q-Checker @You have me confused withe the OP. I wear hearing aids. Ive needed and wear hearing aids since my 40s.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

CJC — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 17:14:49 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten Yes it takes getting used to, and I am not the most compliant patient by a long shot. My hearing loss is moderate from inner ear damage that makes my ears feel plugged all the time, like when you have water in ears after swimming but can't clear it out. This results in speech clarity loss. I don't need volume, I need clarity, and clarity is harder for hearing aids to deal with. I wear Starkey aids, behind the ear with receiver in canal, because if I put aids completely in my ear my ears would feel even more plugged than they already do. I have best ones Starkey makes, but I'm not crazy about them. Wear them when I'm out with people but rarely wear at home alone. They're not all that comfortable because I wear reading glasses and sunglasses. I also have thick hair that I hook behind my ears. The hearing aid takes up too much space behind my ears and I'm afraid I'll knock them out and lose them every time I take glasses off and on. Honestly, if I could go back a year in time I wouldn't invest the money in them. Family wanted me to get them so I guess at least they're happy.

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

Q-Checker — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:23:32 GMT

@LizzieInSRQ Oops -- I apologize for my error!

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

shoesnbags — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:33:26 GMT

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
Who has gone through this period of adjustment? Mine are in-the-ear and it takes some getting used to. Sure is weird.

@GoneButNotForgotten

Well I'm the odd man out here because I have loved my hearing aids from day 1. I hesitated to get hearing aids because of all the stories of people who didn't like theirs, including my father in law and his wife, who rarely wore theirs.

Mine are behind the ear Widex brand, purchased at my ENT's office. I bought the top of the line because I didn't want to skimp on my health (although I'm usually a bargain hunter). The audiologist there tested my hearing. When the hearing aids arrived, she adjusted everything and that was it. No back and forth for further adjustments because they worked fine and were comfortable. I do go back once a year for adjustments based on my worsening hearing.

It's been over five years and I'm still happy with my choice. I LOVE having my iPhone bluetoothed to the hearing aids so that I can hear everyone clearly and so I can adjust volume etc using the phone. Not happy that Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids which are essential to our health.

ETA After reading all of the replies I have to wonder if in-the-ear hearing aids are harder to get used to?

Re: Getting used to hearing aids

qvcaddition — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:51:44 GMT

I got the ones ones On QVC and they work great for me. It takes a while to get use to them, but now its good. I only wear them when someone around or I go to my classes. Oh, and when I watch TV. I can keep it low.

Takes an adjustment, but it works for me.