Getting the Most Out of Your Hearing in 2019

Health-related New Year’s resolutions are some of the most popular for people to make. If you’re thinking about how to care for your health this year, remember that your hearing health is just as important as any other aspect of your wellbeing.

This year, why not focus on getting the most from your hearing, by caring for your ears and understanding how to improve your listening experience in a variety of environments?

Position Yourself Properly

There are some very simple things that can help you to hear better and receive an improved quality of sound. Small changes in behaviour can make a big difference to your hearing experience. One of the easy ways that you can get more from your hearing and your hearing aids is to think about where you sit. The closer you are to a sound source, the better you will be able to hear it. According to Phonak, “For every doubling in distance away from the sound source, the intensity decreases by 6 dB SPL”, meaning the sound is perceived to be softer. If you think about where you sit or stand in different listening environments, you could benefit from an improved listening experience.

Maintaining Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are wonderful, life-changing devices but it’s important to take care of them. Many users find that problems they experience with volume or sound quality are the result of easily fixed cleaning or maintenance issues. A tube blocked with wax or a dying battering is often all it takes to experience sound faults. Getting the right hearing device and understanding how to clean and maintain it keeps it running smoothly. Some hearing aids need very little maintenance. The Lyric hearing device can be worn 24/7 for up to three months, with no maintenance needed. Other options require more care, such as gentle cleaning, battery changes and careful storage.

Be Open About Your Hearing

Action on Hearing Loss says that only around 40% of people who would benefit from hearing aids are using them. While this could be because they haven’t had the right advice, embarrassment and fear can also be contributing factors. Many people are hesitant to wear a hearing aid, thinking that it will be very visible, and are reluctant to reveal or discuss their hearing loss with anyone. However, being more open about your hearing loss should help you to get more from your hearing. When others know about your hearing loss, they are usually happy to do what they can to help you. Friends, family, colleagues and others can help by speaking up, looking at you when speaking and even helping to reduce background noise.

Practice Listening in Different Listening Environments

When you wear hearing aids, it can take some time to adjust to them and get the most out of them. You may need to retrain your brain to help your ears work well together with your hearing aids. Practising listening with some specific listening exercises, or simply by spending time in different listening environments, allows you to habituate yourself and get used to your hearing aids. Starkey recommends some excellent listening exercises, including using their Hear Coach app. Completing the gaming modules on the app help you to improve your ability to communicate in noise.

Explore the Latest Hearing Technology

The range of hearing devices available for people with hearing loss or tinnitus offers plenty of choice. However, people are often not aware of the products that are there for them to consider. Finding the right hearing device for your needs and lifestyle improves your quality of life and your enjoyment of a wide range of activities. There are so many styles and features to consider, and it can be confusing. Receiving the right advice and having a wide variety of products to choose from will help you find the right device. Pindrop provides top brands such as Resound, Starkey, Phonak and Lyric to give you an extensive choice.

Have Your Hearing Tested

Whether you know you have hearing loss, and perhaps already use a hearing aid, or you have never had a hearing test before, having your hearing assessed is important. Everyone should pay attention to the health of their ears and hearing, no matter their age. One of the best ways you can start 2019 is by getting your hearing tested. Action on Hearing Loss estimates that one in five people will have some level of hearing loss by 2035. So, don’t neglect your hearing health if you want to maintain a good quality of life. Take a free online hearing test here.
 

Pindrop Hearing is your premier hearing clinic, providing high standards of clinical audiology in London. Our expert team can help you to get the most from your hearing this year, so get in touch to find out more.