Hearing aids can help you reconnect with loved ones and improve your relationships. Everything from talking with your grandkids on the phone to enjoying dinner out with friends at Higgins becomes easier from your improved ability to follow conversations and communicate with others.
To get the best listening experience with hearing aids, follow these few additional tips.
Let Others Know You Wear Hearing Aids 
Modern hearing aids are often so sleek and discreet that many people likely won’t even be able to tell you’re wearing them. Though you might feel a bit awkward mentioning your hearing loss, doing so, and letting others know that you use hearing aids improves the conversation for both parties.
Those you are talking to will be less likely to interpret a misunderstanding as you not listening to them, and it gives you an opportunity to discuss what communication methods work best for you.
Discuss Helpful Communication Strategies
Once you’ve let someone know that you wear hearing aids, you can fill them in on what communication strategies are most effective. This may include asking them to:
- Face you when they are talking and avoid covering their mouths. Not only will this make it possible to read lips, but your hearing aids will pick up their voice more effectively.
- Move to a quieter room or location if your current environment is too loud.
- Ask them to make sure they have your attention before they start speaking to you. They can do this by tapping you gently on the shoulder and making sure that you make eye contact before they start speaking to you.
Use Hearing Aid Accessories
In addition to your hearing aids, using accessories like remote microphones or streaming audio via Bluetooth® can help you hear better in a variety of settings, like restaurants, work meetings or video calls.
Consider Aural Rehabilitation
Aural rehabilitation (AR) involves a combination of different strategies and treatments focused on helping people manage their hearing loss.
A systematic review of these types of programs found that aural rehabilitation is very effective at providing a “short-term reduction in self-perception of hearing handicap and potentially better use of communication strategies and hearing aids.”
If you are interested in learning more about aural rehabilitation or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss hearing-related issues, call the experts at Mt. Hood ENT & Allergy today.