Addressing Discomfort: Troubleshooting Tips

If you wear hearing aids, you’ll know how beneficial they are to your hearing. However, they can sometimes be uncomfortable, making you not want to wear them. But not wearing your hearing aids means reverting back to navigating daily life with hearing loss. Let’s take a look at how you can get rid of the discomfort and go back to enjoying hearing the world around you.

Have Them Properly Fitted

If your hearing aid doesn’t fit properly then it could cause some discomfort. You can eliminate this problem by having your hearing aids fitted by an audiologist, or by making adjustment and re-fitting your hearing aids. Hearing aids that don’t fit properly can lead to rubbing and soreness, so you should always make sure you have them professionally fitted from the get-go.

Keep Them Clean

Dirt, wax and debris will naturally accumulate on your hearing aid over time, so if you’re experiencing discomfort wearing your hearing aids, it might be because they need to be cleaned. You should regularly wipe your hearing aids down with a clean, dry cloth to keep them free of any dirt. Keeping your ears clean may also help with any discomfort you’re experiencing. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when doing a deep clean of your hearing aids.

Choose the Right Style

There are many different styles of hearing aids, so if you’re experiencing discomfort, it might be because you’ve chosen the wrong style for you. Sometimes, a smaller or larger design will make a world of difference to how it feels to wear them. Ask your audiologist to talk you through the different styles, including:

• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the ear (ITE)
• In the canal (ITC)
• Completely in canal (CIC)

When you have your hearing test your audiologist will assess your needs and lifestyle when it comes to recommending a hearing aid based on your specific profile.

Keep Out Moisture

If your ears get wet or are exposed to any kind of moisture, this could cause your hearing aids to become uncomfortable and even malfunction. Try to keep your ears dry while wearing your hearing aids and use a drying kit to remove any moisture from your hearing aids while you sleep. Even sweat can cause discomfort, so be mindful of this while exercising.

Gradually Adjust to Them

If you’ve just started wearing hearing aids, the discomfort you’re experiencing might simply be because you’re not used to wearing them yet. Try wearing them for short periods and then increasing the duration gradually. This will allow your ears and brain to adjust to the new sounds and experience of the physical presence of hearing aids. If after a few weeks you’re still uncomfortable, speak to your audiologist.

Check for Allergies

Finally, you may be allergic to the materials used in your hearing aids. If you’re experiencing redness, itching or swelling within your ears, it’s a good idea to have this tested. When you have your hearing test, mention any known allergies or if you have sensitive ears to your audiologist to avoid this from happening. There are hypoallergenic materials that can be used instead.