How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Hearing Aids Over Time

Did you know many forms of hearing loss are progressive? Learn how to identify when your hearing aid is no longer effective! 

Many of us remember our firsts—our first car, our first house—and, for us deaf and hard of hearing, our first hearing assistive technology. However, I vividly remember a last moment—the last day I wore a hearing aid. 

It was my first year in college during an early morning class. If I were honest, my hearing aid was becoming frustrating. Other than muffled voice sounds and unpredictable high-pitched feedback noises, I didn’t gain much from wearing it. My hearing was progressive during my childhood, and in my senior year of high school, I tested profoundly deaf on both sides. 

Still, I continued to wear it, partly out of habit and partly because I thought it made my deafness more visually apparent. As I settled in my front-row seat, the cameraman in the back of the room set up his equipment for the distance learning filming. The lecture started, and before long, I realized everyone was staring at me. The professor had also paused and joined the other students. 

Quickly, I realized that my aid was giving feedback, and I scrambled to turn it off. Instead, it fell out of my ear, bounced on the desk, and landed on the hardwood floor two desks over – still squealing. Glancing around, I noticed the camera light was still on. Mortified, I dove for the aid on the floor, turned it off, and stuffed it in my pocket. 

That was the last day I wore that hearing aid.

If I had known then what I know now, I could have prevented that embarrassing moment. However, we can avoid it with your hearing technology! Read on to learn about quality hearing performance and what ineffectiveness signs to watch for. 

Importance of Quality Tech

A high-quality hearing aid will be comfortable to wear, will not have distorted sounds or unpredictable volumes, and will also be mapped correctly to your audiogram results. It will be intuitive and user-friendly to use features such as Bluetooth, background noise filtering, etc. 

It’s highly recommended to see an audiologist for a hearing aid fitting as generic hearing aids on the market may not be strong enough to meet your needs – leading to frustration. As the average hard of hearing person takes seven years to decide to test, it’s important to get the best results possible and not lose more time.

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Baseline Testing

Before obtaining a hearing aid, you will need to complete a hearing test to see what audiology levels your ears function at. They can range from normal, mild, moderate, severe, or profound. After gaining the results, you will be shown different brands that will match your degree of loss. There may be testing done with a trial brand to see if it works effectively or not. 

Once you have decided on a brand, you’ll have a mold fitting, and the audiologist may also need to map the aid. Mapping is a form of programming that allows you to customize your settings. It is recommended that after diagnosis, you see your audiologist once a year for testing and mapping sessions. 

Importance of Maintenance and Cleaning

To continue to have high quality performance, you must follow instructions for care and cleaning of your hearing aids. You may need to use a humidifier at night for areas with high levels of humidity. Moisture is one of many factors that can damage a hearing aid. Cleaning your molds of wax will help prevent your aid from being obstructed. 

Accessing Clarity

How do you know if your aid is no longer serving you? There are a few signs to watch for. If you constantly adjust your volume settings, especially if you prefer the maximum range, it is a sign that it may not be powerful enough for your needs. 

If you find yourself manipulating your environment more than usual, such as tilting your ear to a speaker or sitting closer to the TV, it is another sign to consider. When talking with family and friends, are you struggling with comprehension? One common sign of progressive loss is the feeling that people mumble and do not talk clearly. Do you ask them to repeat things or talk louder? If so, you may need a different hearing aid. 

Does the aid perform better in quiet environments than loud ones? Some variation is normal, but if the disparity in performance is noticeable, it’s worth having that looked into. If you suspect your hearing loss has progressed or your aid is not effective, it is a good idea to keep a journal or smartphone notes of your experiences. Note the date, place, and issues you are experiencing. When you next meet with the audiologist, you’ll have data for them to evaluate. 

Cleaning and Repairs

Before you purchase a different hearing aid, your device may simply need professional cleaning or repairs to be restored to its former levels. I’ve had many repairs done during my years with hearing aids, and it’s an option that can save you money and extend the life of your hearing aid. 

Many audiologists have labs that can repair hearing aids and also give you a loaner device to wear during the waiting period. Hearing aids are delicate pieces of engineering, and there may be internal damage we cannot see. Another option is to see if the aid qualifies for updates, or a new mapping session. 

New Hearing Aids

Is it concluded that you need a different hearing aid? Talk to your family and friends and see what they use. Firsthand experience is excellent for sorting out which options are the best brands. Also, research to see what newer technology is being released. Note what features are important to you and what you disliked about your former device. 

The more research you complete, the better your hearing health specialist can help you find a match for your needs. Ask if trial aids are available before committing to the expense of a new one. 

Conclusion

If you suspect the quality of your hearing aid is declining, you have options! Be sure you have annual evaluations to check for progressive loss, look into professional repairs, and watch for signs. Some signs we covered are using maximum volume levels, manipulating the environment around you, and asking people to repeat or speak louder. If one or more of these are applicable, seek professional help to improve your hearing experience.