3 Tips to Avoid Common Hearing Aid Mistakes

You’ve had a hearing test, consulted with your audiologist and picked out your hearing aids. These are all great steps, but there’s still a bit more to do to maximize your hearing experience. Many first-time hearing aid users make mistakes that can make the process of getting used to their device more difficult. Let’s take a look at three things you can do to avoid these common pitfalls.

Be Honest with Your Audiologist

Your audiologist will be there to guide you through the entire process. They will work with you to make sure your hearing aids are comfortable and are adjusted to meet your needs. It’s important to be as honest as possible during every step to ensure you’re getting the best care.

Don’t try to guess correctly during your hearing test or say that the fit feels great when really, it’s quite uncomfortable. Addressing any issues you’re having early on in the process makes it a much smoother transition moving forward.

Be Patient

Research shows that users take time to adjust to a new device and that the benefits improve over the first 10 weeks of use. However, some users assume that they will automatically experience perfect hearing the moment they wear their device for the first time.

In reality, your ears need some time to adjust to this massive change, especially if you are new to hearing aids.

Start slow and wear your device consistently.
Go over the manual so you understand how various features work.
Have a conversation with a friend in a quiet environment first instead of immediately heading out to a group dinner at Old Naples Pub.

Be patient with your hearing aids and yourself, and let your audiologist know about any issues that linger after several weeks of regular use.

Take Care of Your Hearing Aids

Your device will only work well if it’s properly cared for. It’s important to develop a nightly cleaning routine to remove excess moisture and other debris.

Use a soft, dry cloth or invest in a hearing aid cleaning kit.
Store your device in a cool and moisture-free environment.
Have regular checkups with your hearing aid expert every six months to a year.

Taking the time to care for your aids now will go a long way towards maximizing your hearing experience.

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The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/