Tips for Preventing Hearing Aid Discomfort

Approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from the use of hearing aids. The small but technologically advanced devices compensate for hearing loss by identifying and amplifying speech sounds, reducing ambient noise and keeping you more aware of your surroundings. Some real-life benefits you may experience include but are not limited to:

• Improved communication for better relationships
• Better understanding during work meetings
• Improved mental and physical health

When you first begin wearing hearing aids, you might experience discomfort from your new devices. Let’s examine some common causes of hearing aid discomfort and what you can do to prevent it.

Poor Fit or Placement

Discomfort could occur if your hearing aid is the wrong size or improperly placed in the ear. If your hearing aid sits incorrectly in the ear, it could tug on the skin or place pressure on the ear canal. Similar discomfort can occur from improper sizing.

Most in-the-canal style hearing aids are custom-made to fit your ear. While it is uncommon for custom devices to be the wrong size, it can happen.

If you are experiencing discomfort you believe to be caused by fit or misplacement, make an appointment with your hearing aid specialist. They can assess the fit and placement more accurately in person. If the placement is wrong, they can provide guidance to correct the issue.

Your Hearing Aids Are Dirty

Dirty hearing aids can lead to an increased risk of infections, bacterial growth, feedback and irritation. Try cleaning your device according to the manual. If discomfort persists, make an appointment with your hearing aid specialist to check for potential issues in the ear canal.

You’re in the Adjustment Period

Hearing aids take some getting used to. If you’ve never worn the devices before, you will likely experience discomfort from hearing new sounds or having them in your ears all day. If you feel sore or overwhelmed from wearing the devices, try taking them out for twenty minutes to an hour. Feel free to take a walk through Malvern Community Park without your hearing aids. Your ears will have a chance to breathe, and the break will help keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

To begin your hearing treatment journey, contact Pinnacle ENT today.