You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: The Silent Struggle of Poorly Fit Hearing Aids

Much like the benefits of consuming water, our brains need to be nourished with information from all our senses. Similarly, if you're living with hearing aids that are not properly fitted, you're likely experiencing a similar frustration – a struggle that could weaken not only your hearing but also your cognitive well-being. 

Your Brain Needs Sound, Not Just Your Ears 

When you think about hearing, you may envision ear function, but it's your brain that's the true hero of the auditory process. Without constant sound input, your brain struggles to process auditory information, much like a plant that withers without water. This deprivation doesn’t just reduce your hearing capability; it can also affect your cognitive health.  

There are millions of people with a hearing loss who wear hearing aids. I would estimate that the devices of approximately 40% or more of the people who are wearing hearing aids are not properly fit and amplified.  

Poor fit is more common than you might think. It can be explained with several reasons why, but the fact remains that the person wearing the hearing aids is not being served well.  

This isn't just happenstance; outdated prescriptions, insufficient adjustments and a lack of adequate follow-up care are the usual culprits. If your hearing aids are anything less than optimal, you are not alone. Recognizing this widespread issue is the first step toward resolving it. 

The Real Consequences: Cognitive Load and Decline 

When hearing is under-managed, the brain compensates by increasing reliance on visual cues, which can add an unnecessary cognitive load.  

This additional effort means your brain works overtime, which could lead to slower processing speeds and reduced working memory.  

Studies have consistently shown a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline.  

The cumulative effect can be significant – leaving you fatigued, frustrated and struggling to keep up in social settings. 

The Good News: It’s Fixable 

Here lies the silver lining: properly fitted hearing aids can dramatically improve your quality of life. Improvements in cognitive performance and hearing clarity can commence in as little as six months.  

You can rest assured that with our team of experts, your every need will be met to ensure a comfortable fit and tailored treatment for your needs. Your specialists ensure your hearing aids achieve the best possible fit, giving you the best chance to regain auditory and cognitive strength. 

Don’t Believe Us? Ask Cheryl 

I want to share a story with you about a new patient by the name of Cheryl.  

Cheryl came to see us to get some information about a new set of hearing aids after recently moving into our area.  

She was wearing a single hearing aid on her left ear, but it turns out that Cheryl’s hearing aid was not helping her hear well – it needed a deep cleaning as well as an adjustment to both her fit and amplification. Within a few minutes, Cheryl was hearing significantly better.  

She asked me about her right ear and if anything could be done with it, as her previous clinic suggested that it was no longer hearing well enough for amplification. A hearing test revealed that not only was it hearing well enough to be amplified, it actually added a 13% benefit to speech clarity.  

The look on Cheryl’s face when she could hear with both ears is exactly why we do what we do. We can’t wait to fit Cheryl’s new hearing aid and see just how much more confident she will be! 

At the end of the day, you don’t know what you don’t know. Asking questions opens many possibilities that could be beneficial. We look forward to helping the listeners hear better. 

To contact our team about making your hearing aids fit better and perform for your best needs, or to investigate your first hearing assessment and get started on your hearing health journey on the right foot, please don’t hesitate to request a callback, and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible. 

Don’t want to wait? Give us a call at 416-463-4327.