 |
Senior Ear Problems - Hearing Aids
My Experience With Hearing Aids - E.F. Male Age: 83
I resisted using a hearing aid as long as I possibly could for several reasons.
The first reason was that in addition to hearing loss, I also suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound). I was concerned that the hearing aid would make both conditions worse as a hearing aid amplifies sound. I've found the hearing aid does make both conditions worse, but not as bad as I thought it might, and the negative effects usually get better within a few hours.
The second reason was that even though my insurance paid for most of my hearing aid, I was still required to pay a large sum. If it was only up to me I might not have purchased one, but my family urged me to do so with the hope that we would be able to communicate better.
The third reason was that I felt hearing aids were for old people. I've since accepted that fact though I prefer to think that I'm no longer young rather than I've gotten old.
My greatest hope for my hearing aid was that it would allow me to hear better in social situations where there are many people talking at the same time. Multiple voices turn into background noise that resembles a dull roar. This roar is amplified by the hearing aid so much that I can't hear what people are saying even if they sit right next to me.
The only situation where my hearing aid works well is if there are only a few people in a room and they talk one at a time. This has made doctors appointments much more comfortable because previously I was never certain what they were saying.
Conclusion
My hearing aid has allowed me to hear better than I could without it. However, it often amplifies noises I don't want to hear, rather than those I do, such as the voice of the person sitting next to me.