Are there any side effects to wearing a hearing aid?

Background: The low uptake of hearing aids in the United States has been attributed to a number of reasons, including low perceived hearing disability, limited perceived benefit and cost. Another possible reason may be related to negative side effects associated with hearing aid use.

Purpose: The present study was aimed at determining and classifying the negative side effects associated with hearing aid use in adults with hearing loss.

Research design: The study used a cross-sectional survey design.

Study sample: Five hundred and twelve participants completed an electronic survey.

Data collection and analysis: The data was collected using the negative side effects of hearing aids (NSE-HAs) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Chi square analysis, principal components analysis, and calculation of Cronbach's alpha.

Results: Some individuals reported negative side effects for all 32 items. However, careful examination of results suggests that, as a whole, reported negative side effects tend to be mild with mean scores falling close to the lower quartile of the total scores. Chi square test results suggest that the variables of age, gender, duration of hearing loss, self-reported hearing disability, and duration of hearing aid use seem to be significantly associated with the reported negative side effects. The NSE-HAs questionnaire was found to have a complex structure as indicated by the principal components analysis. However, good internal consistency was found in both the full scale and subscales.

Conclusions: The present study suggests that, although a large number of adults with hearing loss who use hearing aids experience some degree of negative side effects, those effects tend to be mild.

There is no denying that hearing aids bring about a huge number of benefits for people who wear them. If you have problems with your hearing, a hearing device can help you to hear clear and effectively so that you can still enjoy the same standard of living that you did before. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that there are side effects that are associated with hearing aids. These side effects only tend to happen if you do not use your hearing aid correctly or you are not using the right hearing aid for you. Nevertheless, they can happen. In this blog post, we will help you to understand hearing aid side effects in further detail, as well as providing you with some useful tips on how to avoid them.

What are the side effects of hearing aids?

There are a number of different side effects that are associated with hearing devices. They tend to happen when you do not use your hearing aid correctly or you do not use the right hearing device for you. Some of the most common types of hearing aid side effects are as follows:

• Feedback: Firstly, feedback is a side effect some people experience. Some hearing devices can result in a lot of feedback like cracking and whistling when you put it on or when it is windy. This can be resolved by a consultation with your audiologist. 
• Itching in the ear canal: Although it may be tempting to rip your hearing device out and stick your finger inside of your ear in order to get rid of an irritating itch, this is not recommended. This may make the problem a lot worse, especially when it comes to earwax compaction. In fact, a lot of people have damaged their eardrum by doing this. This is why using drops or spray is the best thing to do when cleaning your ear canal. 
• Improper quality and sound level: If the volume is too high or too low on your hearing aid, it can be very uncomfortable. Every case of hearing loss is individual. This is why your hearing device must be adapted specifically to the individual who is wearing it. 
• Discomfort, soreness, and skin irritation: If your hearing device has not been fitted correctly, this can make it very uncomfortable to wear. If your hearing aid is too tight, it can result in general discomfort, soreness and skin irritation. Of course, this can be solved by loosening your hearing aid. However, you need to make sure you do not make it too loose, otherwise, it can slide and slip about. Bad fitting can interfere with the sounds you hear, resulting in more feedback as well. This is why it is important to make sure that your hearing aid is fitted properly and carefully. Again, this is something that your audiologist is going to be able to assist with. 
• Tinnitus and headaches: Finally, it is possible for people to experience tinnitus or start having headaches if they do not have the volume of their hearing device set correctly. It can take a bit of time to get used to wearing your hearing device at first. This is why it is important to make sure you follow up with your audiologist so that they can make sure the settings are right for you and that your hearing device is fitted correctly. 

How can you lower your chances of experiencing any of these side effects?

There are a number of different things that you can do in order to reduce your chances of experiencing any side effects. This includes the following:

• Look after your hearing device appropriately 
• Turn on all of the required features you need
• Make certain your hearing device is fitted correctly
• Make certain you have the right type of hearing device for your hearing loss
• Speak with an audiologist for any resolutions

Contact Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi today for more information

If you would like to find out more about Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi and the service that we provide, all you need to do is give us a call today for more information at 662-234-1337. We can get you booked in for a hearing test as soon as possible. We would also be more than happy to answer any of the queries or concerns that you have about hearing loss and wearing a hearing device, so please do not hesitate to pick up the phone.

What are the side effects of using hearing aid?

Does hearing aid affect the brain?

How long does it take for your brain to adjust to a hearing aid?

What things should a person avoid when wearing a hearing aid?