Why can’t I hear as well as my friend hears with his hearing aid ?

We often hear this statement from hearing aid users. They are not correct in saying so..…Why? People generally have a habit of comparing one with another but they don’t realize  that they are comparing two completely different cases.

Let me explain..
(No two persons are same likewise no two ’ hearing loss’ are similar.)

Hearing loss in one ear vs in both ears:

• One person may have hearing loss in only one ear whereas the other one may have in both ears. A person with hearing loss in both the ears will face more difficulty in understanding conversations.
• Also, equally deciding is the fact that whether the person with hearing loss in both ears has been using hearing aids in both ears or just one ear.
• One can never completely benefit with amplification in only  one ear if s/he has difficulty in hearing in both the ears.
• Any such two persons will experience different benefit from hearing aids.
• Duration of hearing loss may be different in two persons, One person might be having hearing loss for much longer duration than the other person.

There are also chances that the person with longer duration may have ignored his hearing loss, not taken appropriate action of wearing hearing aids and hence had to face a time period of auditory deprivation i.e. lack of auditory stimulation. On the other hand, the other person may have got himself a good hearing aid as soon as s/he experienced difficulty in hearing. Any such two persons will experience different benefit from hearing aids.

Acceptance of hearing loss and hearing aids

We see that very often persons with hearing impairment take a long time to accept the fact that they have hearing loss. The longer they take to accept this fact the harder they find to accept hearing aids and still more difficult to derive complete benefit from their respective hearing aids. Persons who accept hearing loss early are more likely to benefit with the hearing aids.

Realistic expectations from Hearing Aids:

During our counselling session we urge people to consider various factors before they pin their expectations to their hearing aids.

Hearing aid definitely and positively helps to hear but how much depends upon.

• What technology it uses to amplify the sounds.
• What generation of sound processor is used in these hearing aids.
• What type of features does it offer to listeners.

Are the users willing to train their ears using their hearing aids for better listening experience.

A person who keeps fair and realistic expectations from his/her hearing aid is more likely to be happy and satisfied with his/her hearing experience.