Everyone’s hearing loss condition is unique and hearing aids are designed to compensate for those unique conditions. Whether you are new to wearing hearing aids or have been using them for years, if your hearing aids cause headaches or any other kind of pain, there is an answer.
A properly adjusted hearing aid will fit comfortably in your ear and give you the quality of amplification that meets your individual requirements. If this is not the case, you should make sure you have the correct type of hearing aid and that it’s been properly adjusted.
Indications your hearing aid needs to be adjusted
Headaches can be the result of poorly adjusted hearing aids. Usually, inadequate adjustment or improper use is the reason. If this is the case, the following issues may arise:
- Insufficient sound quality. Hearing aids that aren’t adjusted properly can boost high-intensity sounds, generating a loud screeching sound that is aggravating and causes injury to your ears. Hearing aids in this state can also make low intensity sounds inaudible.
- Headaches and tinnitus. Hearing aids that are picking up loud sounds and further amplifying them can be painful to your ears and can lead to not only headaches but also tinnitus. Typically, this means the settings are too loud.
- Feedback noise. Wind and other background noise can be picked up and amplified by your hearing aid, also causing screeching frustrating feedback.
Over-the-counter hearing aids
Even though you can go to a local store and get a less pricey personal amplification device (over the counter hearing aid), these devices won’t be programmed for your personal hearing loss requirements.
Improving your hearing requires more than just amplifying sounds because hearing loss is specific to the individual. Often, specific wavelengths of sound are lost when someone loses their hearing. In order for a hearing aid help people hear clearly in different settings, they will need precise adjustment.
Professional hearing aid adjustment
One of the most useful ways to ensure your hearing aid is properly fitted is to have your individualized hearing aid fitted and adjusted. Custom-fitted hearing aids will be designed just for you utilizing molds of your ears. Once the proper fit is obtained, we will need to adjust the hearing aid settings so you can distinguish between unwanted noise and the sounds you want to hear.
Your hearing aid should also make automated adjustments, which will allow you to hear background noises in various environments without interference. In order to be certain you get the best hearing aids for your personal needs, you may need to come in more than once. If you have severe hearing loss, the adjustments to your hearing aid will be completed in stages to allow your brain time to adapt to louder sounds.
Contact us for an appointment if you think your hearing aid might need a tune-up.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids#hearingaid_08