How to Use Your Hearing Aids Controls

Getting hearing aids is just the first step to better hearing. Thanks to technology, these devices have made it easier for people who experience hearing loss to make sense of the sounds in their environment. Indeed, hearing loss and its related issues are not so rare in the United States, with about 15% of American adults 18 years and older reporting some hearing issues, making the devices necessary. 

Because they are designed with the user’s convenience in mind, many hearing aids come with controls with which the user can make adjustments to suit their environments. Therefore, sounds of footsteps should be soft but audible while louder sounds like the mower shouldn’t be uncomfortable. Knowing how to use these features affects the wearer’s experience and so it is crucial. Here’s the information you need on how to use your hearing aid controls.

Hearing aid controls

Before you can learn how to use the controls on your hearing aid, you’ll have to first know what they are. Generally, you should find the following on most hearing aids even though their positions may vary according to models.

On/off switch

This is usually attached to the battery door such that when you close the door, the hearing aid comes on. On the other hand, you can open the battery door to shut down the hearing aid. When you turn on the hearing aid, the settings are on default and your audiologist can make the necessary adjustments for you.

Volume control

As the name suggests, this is used to control the volume of your environment and is in a wheel form for easy movement. An upward movement increases the sound, while the downward motion does the opposite. Some hearing aids are designed to adjust their own volumes according to the environment so you wouldn’t need to do this.

Program control

The programs on your hearing aid are meant for the different situations in which you may find yourself. There are different types, including the following:

• Noise-Reducing or Directional Program: This program is beneficial when you are in noisy environments. In the presence of background noise, it amplifies the voices or sounds coming from in front of your rather than those coming from behind you. 
• Telecoil Loop System: This is a more modern feature which allows the wearer to pick up sound more clearly. This program is also great at eliminating background noise and can be useful in banks, theatres and conference halls or anywhere that has a loop system available. It is also the program to use when using loop telephones. 
• Traffic Program: This program can be used when driving as it eliminates road noise and low-pitched engines.
• Music Program: It is the program to use when you want to listen to music. It eliminates other sounds other than the song, for example, speech, and makes it more natural to hear. 

Features on the hearing aid

Many of today’s modern hearing aids come with control features such as knobs, buttons, switches and volume wheels that can be used for adjustments. Audiologists usually configure them to perform the needed functions such as adjusting volume and turning it on or off. This method of using your hearing aid control is more hands-on and doesn’t require any additional devices. Some hearing aids can be set on automatic so that you will not need to make any changes.

Using hearing aid controls with a mobile app

Many of the modern hearing aids are made-for-smartphone devices, eliminating the need to use a hands-on approach. Using an app, you can control your hearing aids remotely to suit your environment. All you will need to do is download the app, and you are good to go. This approach is quite convenient as you do not have to remove your hearing aid to adjust them, reducing the time and hassle involved. 

Control with an external accessory

There have been devices designed to connect to hearing aids to make the necessary adjustment. These external accessories are equipped with Bluetooth with which to connect to the hearing aid, enabling the wearer to make changes to the volume and to suit their environment. 

Hearing aids are one of the technologies that have made life easier for people who experience hearing loss. While they are easy to use and operate, it is recommended that you see an audiologist to help you out, especially when you first get them. In the beginning, they may seem strange, but after a while, you’ll get used to them.

Facilities like Sommerville Audiology & Hearing Aid Center are available to assist with all your hearing loss related issues, and you can call us at 586-298-3788 to learn more.