It’s a familiar situation for many families. A loved one’s hearing is declining, and after years of miscommunication and frustration, they finally visit an audiologist. They invest in hearing aids, but after a while, the aids end up in a drawer.  So, why is it that some people don’t wear their hearing aids? The following are the some common reasons:

  1. Their hearing aids aren’t comfortable

Comfort can be a big issue, especially with old or ill-fitted hearing aids. Today, there are modern, sleeker hearing aids that are comfortable to wear all day, even if the user wears glasses.

  1. Their hearing aids don’t meet their sound expectations

Hearing aids are an investment, so it’s important that users feel like the technology is providing a benefit for them. If they don’t recognize a change in their hearing when using the technology, they might get frustrated, and think the cost of the hearing aids was not worth it. In this case, it’s important they visit their audiologist or hearing care professional, who can change the hearing aid settings.

  1. Their hearing aids are too difficult to care for

Because hearing aids are exposed to sweat, water, ear wax, dirt and dust on a regular basis, it’s important to clean and dry them. Some brands of hearing aids, such as Phonak, are now rechargeable and are stored in a hard case that both dries and recharges them every evening.

  1. Their hearing aids are embarrassing

Despite advances in technology and look, hearing aids still hold a stigma. If your loved one is embarrassed by their hearing aids, encourage them to talk to their friends and family about how their hearing aids help them. Once the people around them understand how their hearing technology helps them enjoy life, they can get on with participating in conversations.

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