According to the findings of a 2019 study published in the Journal of the America Academy of Audiology, “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.”
If side effects are causing you not to want to wear your hearing aids, know there’s probably something you do about them. We review solutions for common hearing aid side effects below.
Sore Ears
Though when you first start wearing hearing aids, you may be constantly aware that they’re there, you should not experience pain at any point from wearing them. If your ears are sore, this is a sign the fit is poor. Revisit your audiologist so they can take new impressions of your ears and order you better fitting earmolds.
Itchy Ears
There are two potential causes for itchy ears when it comes to hearing aids: either you are sensitive to the materials used in the earmold, or you have a buildup of earwax. If you’re sensitive to the materials, tell your audiologist so they can order you new earmolds made of something else. If you have a buildup of earwax, don’t use a Q-tip – instead, purchase eardrops over the counter and apply them as directed. Then, irrigate your ears in the shower. If this doesn’t work, schedule an appointment at Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants to have it professionally removed.
Feedback
Feedback is the whistling or screeching noise hearing aids can make when the sound gets trapped. This was a common problem with older models, but is rare with newer ones. If you’re experiencing feedback, try turning down the volume on your hearing aids, and consider investing in newer ones.
Headaches
It’s common for new hearing aids users to experience headaches since they hear an influx of new sounds, and even familiar sounds are louder. If you’re getting headaches, try wearing your hearing aids for just a couple hours a day at first, and slowly work your way toward wearing them all day long. Keep the volume low, and see your audiologist if the headaches persist for more than a few weeks.
For more information about hearing aid fitting or to schedule an appointment, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.