Tips For First Time Hearing Aid Comfort

During a hearing aid evaluation or a hearing assessment, your audiologist will provide you with some recommendations for hearing assistive devices. During this time, you will learn about all of the different types of aids and you will be able to ask some questions. These questions will undoubtedly include ones about comfort. If you are new to hearing aids, then there are some tips that you can follow to ensure the comfort of your aids.

Go With The Larger Aids

There are several different types of hearing aids that include ones that are virtually invisible. These aids sit deep in the ear canal and cannot be readily seen. While these hearing devices are an option if you are self-conscious about the use of a hearing aid, they tend to be quite uncomfortable. The inner ear canal is the most sensitive part of the ear and these aids can rub at the thin skin in an uncomfortable fashion, especially if you are a new hearing aid user. 

Instead of the small inner canal variety, you should go with a much larger variety. These devices are usually called in the ear aids and they rest across the outside ear and just inside the ear canal. These aids come in either full or half shell varieties with the full shell options extending outside the ear a bit more. 

And while the in the ear hearing aids are made from hard shells, this does not typically compromise the comfort of the device. However, if you find that the aid is rubbing on the inside of your ear, you can ask your audiologist to fit the device with one or several cushions. You can also add these stick-on pads to the hearing aid yourself. Just make sure not to cover any vents when adding them to your aids or you will prevent air from flowing through the aid.

Schedule Regular Appointments

When you receive your hearing aid initially, your audiologist will create a brand new mold to make sure the aids are personalized to your ears. This allows the aids to sit tightly in the ear and to create a seal where sounds do not escape. 

Over time your ear canals will start to stretch out and your hearing aid may feel loose. This can create some rubbing and sores may develop inside your ears. When this happens, your audiologist will need to create a new mold and your current hearing aid can be adjusted. Sometimes a whole new hearing aid must be created. Typically, you want to get a new aid at least once every five years, so work with your doctor so this timing is about right with your needs. 

For more information, reach out to hearing professionals like those at Audiology Consultants, P.C.

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