How long have you worn your hearing aids?
I started wearing a BTE hearing aid in first or second grade after a reconstructive surgery for my microtia. I wore it in the right ear. In high school, the BTE was replaced with a CROS Hearing Aid, which I have worn ever since. I plan to have surgery to be fitted with the BAHA system in the summer. I am really excited about that! For how long before you got your hearing aids did you suspect you had a hearing loss? I have congenital atresia (profound hearing loss/deafness) of the right ear, so my hearing loss was present at birth. My family found out about some mild-to-moderate loss in my left ear shortly after I was born.
How long do you wear your hearing aids each day?
I wear my hearing aids according to situation. I typically wear them in classrooms when I need to hear someone speaking, or in a meeting at an office when I need to focus. Mainly situations where I deal with people a lot and speaking situations. I also wear them when I play music because it helps me to hear the music in a more dramatic way than I normally would. I don't absolutely NEED them but I like having them for certain circumstances because it makes life easier. I'd say I wear my hearing aids most of the day when I am working.
Do you feel like you get benefit from your hearing aids?
Yes. I have trouble with speech, and I am one of those people that says "what?!" a lot, so I think I get good use out of my hearing aids. I think they do a lot to help my family and coworkers too. It's easier for them to communicate with me when I fully understand what they are saying.
What complaints do you have about your hearing aids?
The biggest complaint, which I am getting resolved with the BAHA system, is that I don't like that the CROS Hearing Aid just simulates being able to hear from my deaf ear. I think it would really benefit me better to be able to hear sounds in a more natural way. I also have trouble wearing my hearing aids in some situations because some noises still bother me, like when I am in a restaurant I can hear plates clanking in the kitchen, or the grill going.. that sort of thing. I have worn my hearing aids for YEARS and still have this problem (also may be over-sensitivity to noises, but still, it can be frustrating!)
Do you feel like your hearing aids have lived up to what your audiologist or hearing aid dealer told you they would do? For sure! I recently tried a BAHA however, and I realized that the CROS Hearing Aid can only do so much for me, which is why I am planning to get the BAHA surgery this summer. I am so grateful for what the CROS Hearing Aid has done for me this far however.
Did you get your hearing aids from an audiologist or a hearing aid dealer? I have always gotten my hearing aids from an audiologist! Its nice to go back and get feedback and have a healthcare professional to work with that wants you to have success and do well with the devices you paid for!