How Can I Make Sure That I Get The Best Out Of My Hearing Aid?

It can take some time to get used to wearing hearing aids, so don’t panic if your hearing aid feels slightly odd to begin with. In order to enjoy all the benefits of a hearing aid, it’s advisable to learn how to get the best out of it and how to protect it and keep it in good working order.

When you first have your hearing aid fitted, it’s advisable to wear it a lot, so that you get used to it being there and you also become accustomed to hearing sounds with it; initially, it is normal for sounds to appear very loud, but be patient and you’ll soon get used to the volume. Try to make sure you wear your hearing aids on a daily basis.


Once you have your hearing aids, take care to look after them and store them in a safe place; if you take them out, put them back in their box immediately to prevent them from getting lost; try not to leave them lying around the house, especially if you have children or pets. Hearing aids can be fragile and they may break if you drop them, so take care to remove them over a soft surface and try to avoid taking them in and out when you are out and about, as this will reduce the risk of them getting lost.

It’s very important to keep up to date with hearing tests and follow-up appointments to check how you are getting on with your hearing aids; if you have any problems in the meantime, you should get in touch with the audiology department or the clinic or provider you got your hearing aids from. Wearing a hearing aid will not suddenly enable you to hear perfectly, but it should make a positive difference to your hearing; if your hearing aid feels uncomfortable, you find it fiddly or you feel that the sound is rattly or unclear or you are still struggling to hear people, voices on the television or music, arrange to see your audiologist, as it may be possible to alter your hearing aid or try a different type, which is more suited to your individual prescription. 

Even if you are getting on well with your hearing aids, it is still important to keep tabs on your hearing and you should make an effort to keep up to date with routine checks and follow-up appointments.

Is It Really Worth Paying Out For A Private Hearing Aid?

There are clear advantages of private hearing aids, especially related to the range of aids you can get; however, going private may not be the best option for everyone. Every patient is different and it’s essential to weigh up the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. If you would benefit from a hearing aid, which is available from both NHS and private providers, it may be best to go with the NHS because of the cost; however, it is worth bearing in mind that the waiting time may be longer; if you’re willing to wait a little longer and save yourself some money, this may mean that NHS treatment is the best option for you.

Private hearing aids can often be tailored to your needs and you may be able to get an aid, which is better sited to you than a type that is available on the NHS; if this is the case, you may find that it is worth paying the charge, as it will give you better results, greater comfort and increased confidence.

If you’re unsure what to do and you need advice or more information about the options available to you, it is advisable to contact Action on Hearing Loss; you can talk to people who have expertise and experience in this field who will be able to discuss your options with you and outline the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

If you search online, you will find that there are varying opinions on whether it’s worth going private; some people say it’s the best thing they ever did, while others claim that the treatment they received on the NHS could not be bettered. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what you think suits you best.

In the past, NHS treatment was very limited in terms of which types of hearing aid were available, but today, digital hearing aids are available as standard in most areas of England and it’s worth doing your research before deciding either way; find out what is available, how long you will have to wait and which treatment options are best for you based on the nature and severity of your hearing loss; once you have all this information, you can use it to make a decision.

Does Wearing A Hearing Aid Hurt?

Private hearing aids are designed for comfort, as well as discretion and functionality and you should not find them painful at all. To begin with, it may feel a little odd wearing hearing aids, but once you have worn them for a couple of days, it will become second nature and you will barely notice that they are there. Initially, it’s a good idea to wear your hearing aids a lot so that you get used to them quicker and your audiologist will talk to you about when and where to wear them and how to use them. Even if you don’t plan to wear your hearing aids all the time, it’s beneficial to wear them for a few hours each day to begin with, so that your ears become accustomed to the feeling of the hearing aid and so that your hearing adjusts quickly.

If you find that your hearing aids feel uncomfortable or you are experiencing pain, contact your audiologist, as your hearing aids may need to be adjusted slightly for a better fit.

Hearing aids should never come in the form of a ‘one size fits all’ device; they should always be made to fit and the fit should be checked by a trained professional; never buy hearing aids online or be tempted by offers, which seem too good to be true.

Generally speaking, people adapt to hearing aids differently, but your private or NHS hearing aid should never cause you pain, irritation, swelling or any other unpleasant side effects. In cases where you experience mild discomfort, adjustments can usually be made on-site in just a few minutes; if you have more severe pain, it may be necessary to remake the ear mould or send the hearing aid away for more expansive alterations.

At first, when you start wearing hearing aids, you may also find that sounds are a little odd; if you still find this once you have been wearing your hearing aids for a while, the aid may need adjusting.

If you find wearing a hearing aid very uncomfortable, even after adjustments have been made, it may be beneficial to try a different type of aid; for example, some people who have had difficulties with behind the ear aids, which use a full ear mould find open fit hearing aids more comfortable. Open fit hearing aids work effectively, while also enabling the ear canal to remain open.

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