One study focused on the reasons people who need hearing aids don’t use them found that “hearing aid value, fit and comfort and maintenance of the hearing aid, attitude, device factors, financial reasons, psycho-social/situational factors, healthcare professionals attitudes, ear problems, and appearance” are the main factors. The purpose of this post is to focus on hearing aid fit – specifically, signs your hearing aid doesn’t fit properly.
You Experience Discomfort or Pain
While you may be constantly aware of your hearing aids when you first start wearing them, you should never experience discomfort or pain. If you do, this likely means they don’t fit your ears properly.
Your Hearing Aids Don’t Stay In
If your hearing aids aren’t staying in your ears, this could be a sign they don’t fit well, too. If they’re too large, you won’t be able to insert them all the way, and if they’re too small, they won’t stay in place.
You Experience Poor Sound Quality
When your hearing aids are in, sounds should be clear, especially in places like Alameda Park on Santa Barbara Street. If they’re not clear or if you’re experiencing a whistling or screeching sound called feedback, this is another sign of poor fit.
You Have Earwax Buildup
This may be a surprising sign, but if you have earwax building up in your ear canals behind your hearing aids, this could also indicate your hearing aids don’t fit well. A well-fit device should keep your ear canals clear.
You Just Don’t Wear Them
If you’re not wearing your hearing aids, even if you can’t pinpoint a reason why, this is a very common sign of poor fit. It’s important to see an audiologist to diagnose the problem if you’re not wanting to wear your hearing aids.
What to Do If Your Hearing Aids Don’t Fit
If you experience any of the problems listed above, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your audiologist at Hearing Services of Santa Barbara right away. A hearing aid expert can diagnose the problem – such as the hearing aids being too small, too large or the wrong shape – and correct it. They may take new impressions of your ears or give you different size earmolds. When you leave their office, you should be hearing better and more comfortably.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call Hearing Services of Santa Barbara today.
