It doesn’t always mean that your hearing aid is bad if it doesn’t seem to work. Most of the time, hearing aids don’t work properly because the wrong device was chosen, the programming is incorrect, or the hearing test results are inaccurate. If you know why these things are happening, you can fix the problem and hear better.
Let’s look at this in terms of three main reasons.
1. Picking the Wrong Hearing Aid Device
What Does It Mean to “Choose the Wrong Device?”
If you choose the wrong device, you will get a hearing aid that doesn’t fit your level of hearing loss, your listening needs, or your way of life. Even the best hearing aids won’t work if they’re not right for your condition.
Different Types of Hearing Loss and the Best Hearing Aid
🔹 mild Hearing Loss
Common Problems:
• Sounds don’t always clear
• It’s hard to hear in the noise
Right Devices:
• RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) hearing aids
• Small digital hearing aids that only amplify sound a little
Wrong Choice Result:
Using power hearing aids could make you uncomfortable or make sounds too loud.
Moderate Hearing Loss
Common Problems:
• Not being able to follow conversations
• The TV is too loud
Correct Devices:
• RIC or BTE hearing aids
• Devices that improve speech and cut down on noise
Result of Making the Wrong Choice:
Hearing aids with low power may not work well or feel weak.
🔹 Severe Hearing Loss
Things That Happen a Lot:
• Very hard to hear speech
• Not very aware of sounds in the environment
The Right Devices:
• BTE hearing aids with power or super-power
• Advanced processing and strong amplification
The Result of Making the Wrong Choice:
You won’t be able to use small or basic hearing aids at all.
2. Incorrect Programming of the Hearing Aid
If the hearing aid is not set up correctly, it will feel useless.
What Does Programming a Hearing Aid Mean?
Programming changes the settings on your hearing aid based on:
• How much hearing loss you have
• What makes you comfortable
• How well you understand speech
• Where do you listen
Problems Caused by Incorrect Programming
- Speech sounds unclear or distorted
• Background noise feels too loud
• Sound feels too soft or too sharp
• Ear discomfort or headaches
• The hearing aid doesn’t work well in daily life
A lot of people don’t get their hearing aids professionally fitted or use the default settings, which makes their hearing worse.
3. Wrong Results from the Hearing Test (Audiogram)
Your audiogram report is very important for your hearing aid. The hearing aid won’t be set up right if this report is wrong.
Why Online Hearing Tests Can Be Wrong
- The tests are done in loud places
• There is no professional supervision
• There is only a limited amount of frequency testing
• There is no speech understanding assessment
You can get a rough idea from online tests, but they can’t take the place of a professional audiologist’s evaluation.
Issues Caused by Wrong Audiograms
- Wrong sound amplification
• Poor speech clarity
• Listening fatigue
• Hearing aid feels useless even when it’s high quality
Expert Opinion – HearUpUSA
A lot of the time, people come to HearUpUSA and say their hearing aids don’t work. This isn’t because the device is bad; it’s because the process wasn’t finished.
Our audiologists are experts at:
• Making sure you get the right device for your level of hearing loss
• Programming and fine-tuning your device professionally
• Providing ongoing support and follow-ups
• Book an Appointment
We think that hearing aids should help you feel more sure of yourself and talk to people every day. Hearing aids can really change lives if they are tested properly, the right device is chosen, and the programming is done by an expert.
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