May Is Better Hearing Month

Yep, I meant to mention this, but somehow I didn’t do it earlier. Oh well, better late than never!

Ironically, husband dear is looking for the hearing aid of his dreams. He hasn’t found it yet. I believe I mentioned a while back that we finally both got approved for new ones. He has been trying several of the latest ones, but so far doesn’t like a single one. I already like mine, it’s a Widex Bravo.

He doesn’t like the new ear molds and he doesn’t like digitals. So far. He just returned his third hearing aid. His dealer is DETERMINED to find the holy grail for him. I have been telling him to be patient and keep looking. He will find the hearing aid of his dreams.

Now, let me tell you that many DHH people don’t adjust well to hearing aids. This is one reason why DHH people are so intensely interested in the cochlear implant option, or want to pursue some other option in living with a hearing loss.

DHH People often just 1) don’t like the way hearing aids look; 2) find it a hassle to adjust it and have to buy hearing aid batteries; 3) find them difficult to afford; 4) some people are allergic to the earmold and/or get ear infections, and 4) just don’t like the way they sound.

But they are MUCH better than they were say, 10 years ago.

Hearing aids, like cochlear implants, do take time to adjust to wearing and living with them.

DHH people have to make up their OWN MIND how they want to live life with a hearing loss. There are lots of options out there.

I’ve been wearing hearing aids since age 2, so it’s like a natural extension of me. I can pick up a hearing aid and after 30 seconds know if it’s the right one or not. The last hearing aid I tried, I knew was the one for me. But I suffered migraines for a week, so it was more programming that had to be done, and then it was fine. So, if you have headaches from wearing a new hearing aid, either get it re-programmed, or try a different hearing aid.

A couple more tips for wearing hearing aids successfully:  If you suffer from ear infections, see your doctor. He will most likely prescribe antibiotic ear drops. Follow his instructions explicitly. Do not wear your hearing aid during this time. (I know, I know, it’s a pain going out without it.)

If, for some reason the drops don’t work, inform your doctor, and he should switch you to another totally different antibiotic. Also, always dry your ears before putting on your hearing aid for the day. Believe it or not, I dry my ears with a hair dryer (recommendation from my doctor.) DO NOT PUT IT ON HIGH. You don’t want to scorch your ears. Low is fine. If you don’t like the idea of blowdrying, then I would wait about 15-30 minutes for your ears to dry before putting on the hearing aid. This is so residual water isn’t trapped in the ear canal.

A well-fitted earmold is CRITICAL. If it pops out of your ear constantly, TAKE IT BACK and get another one made. If you audiologist or hearing aid dealer squawks about doing extra work, find another qualified person. Everybody has different ears.

Let me tell you from experience that if you gain or lose a substantial amount of weight, your earmold probably will not fit as well. You ladies, if you’re going through menopause or PMS, don’t expect a perfect earmold fit until your female cycle is over.

Remember, each and every DHH person is different, and each and every DHH person will have to find his/her own solutions to living a life with hearing loss.

For some, it may even mean dumping all hearing aid devices and living life simply by lipreading or signing. There’s nothing wrong with that.