Hearing Aids Side Effects

Hearing aids side effects can be a major concern to new and veteran hearing aid wearers. In this blog post, we highlight a number of common side effects and how you can successfully manage them.

Top tips to avoid hearing aids side effects

Before we talk about the hearing aids side effects you can suffer from, here are some top tips to avoid problems with your hearing aid:

• Ensure you have the right digital hearing aid for your hearing loss
• Make sure your hearing aid is properly fitted
• Turn on all the required features you need
• Look after your hearing aid appropriately
• Consult an audiologist for any resolutions

Hearing aids side effects

Not using the optimal hearing aid or not using it in the correct way could lead to some side effects that may bother you and make you feel uncomfortable. A number of common hearing aids side effects includes:

• Headaches and tinnitus
• Skin irritation, soreness, and discomfort
• Improper sound level and quality
• Itching in the ear canal
• Feedback

However, you can avoid these issues or fix them with the assistance of your audiologist.

1. Headaches and Tinnitus

When the volume of the hearing aid is not properly set particularly if set too loud, it is possible to start having headaches or experience tinnitus or ringing in the ears, sometimes even pain. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should consult with a specialist and they will help to fix the hearing aid properties if needed. It can take some time to get used to wearing hearing aids and at first ordinary sounds like a knife chopping vegetables can seem extremely loud. This is because your brain needs to relearn the ability to filter out loud noises like these. The problem should go away after wearing hearing aids for a few weeks. Our audiologist is always on hand to answer any queries you may have.

2. Irritation, soreness, and discomfort

A badly fitted hearing aid can be extremely uncomfortable to wear. If your digital hearing aid is too tight, it may cause skin irritation, soreness, and general discomfort and if it is too loose, it can slip or slide. Bad fitting can interfere with the sounds you hear and create more feedback. Make sure to put your hearing aid in carefully and properly. If the problem is with the device, you should turn to your audiologist for adjustment.

3. Itching in the Ear Canal

As tempting as it is to rip out your hearing aid and stick your finger in your ear to get rid of the annoying itch, we advise you not to do this. Sticking anything in your ear can result in worsening problems with ear wax compaction and can even lead to damage to the ear drum. The best thing to do is to clean your ears with a spray or drops every evening to moisturise the ear canal. Products such as the AudiClean Total Ear Care System Dual Pack can help.

4. Improper sound level and quality

Too low or too high volume will feel uncomfortable and not let you benefit from the qualities of your device. Every case of hearing loss is individual and the hearing aids need to be adjusted according to the person who wears it. Choosing a programmable model with a volume control can help. If you have severe hearing loss, you should look for a high power hearing aid. These have volume limit, as increasing the volume too much can further damage residual hearing.

5. Feedback

Some hearing aids may produce a lot of feedback such as whistling, cracking when put on, or when it is windy. They may also make loud sounds when chewing specific foods or some electronic devices may cause interference with the signal. Again, you can resolve this through consultation with your audiologist.

Management of hearing aids side effects

Hearing aids are helpful devices that can improve the lifestyle of those with hearing loss and provide them with more independence and confidence. Having the proper hearing aid for your individual hearing loss is essential to get the maximum benefit from it and avoid discomfort and frustration. There are various types of hearing aids aimed to fit everyone’s specific condition, severity of hearing impairment and personal taste. The great choice of models sometimes makes it difficult for the wearer to choose. It is advisable to choose with the aid of a specialist who can recommend the best option for your particular case. Unlike glasses that fix eyesight immediately, hearing aids do not restore the lost hearing ability right away. In fact, they do not restore hearing but help you hear better. You will find it easier to locate the direction of a sound and to cope with conversations and emergencies. However, the sooner you start using them the better. Wearing them will stimulate the brain to recognize and process sounds. And contrary to some popular myths, proper wearing of hearing aids will not lead to further deterioration of your hearing. It will, instead, help you immensely with daily tasks and leading a sociable life.

About Hearing Direct

We are one of the world's leading hearing aid specialists. HearingDirect offers a wide range of affordable products, as well as information resources to help improve the quality of life for the hard of hearing. We sell:

• Hearing aids,
• Batteries,
• Accessories such as earplugs,
• and amplified devices such as super loud alarm clocks and amplified phones.

Like and chat to us on our facebook page

Author: Joan McKechnie

After qualifying as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Joan has spent most of her 20 year career in hearing-care related roles. She has a wealth of experience within the hearing aid and hearing rehabilitation fields and has worked in manufacturing environments with two hearing aid companies helping to develop products and roll out new technologies. Joan has been involved with Hearing Direct since its launch and enjoys the online retail environment which seeks to provide easier access to hearing products and accessories. She is HCPC registered. Read Joan's full bio here.