Can Hearing Aids Damage Hearing?

If you’ve been having trouble with your hearing aid and things seem to be getting worse not better since you started using it, you might be wondering what’s gone wrong. There are a range of issues that can arise when you’re using these devices and that’s why expert support is key.

You might even be wondering if your hearing aid is causing damage to your hearing. It’s a question that many people have and lots of people worry about it. We’re going to put your mind at ease and provide you with the information you need now, so keep reading.

The answer is usually no

The short answer to the main question we’ve posed here is no. Of course, that’s not to say that there are no situations in which hearing aids can damage your hearing health and the range of your hearing because that can happen and we’re going to explain specifically why and how further down in this guide.

But when hearing aids are used in the correct and proper way, they’re not a threat to your hearing and they won’t be capable of damaging your hearing in any way at all. It all comes down to the right habits and making sure that you’re not misusing your hearing aid devices in any way at all. That’s what matters most.

Lack of professional help can present problems

The main reason why hearing aids occasionally cause damage to a person’s hearing is that some people don’t go through the correct procedures when finding and beginning to use a hearing aid. It’s not something that you should ever try to do by yourself unless you’re a trained professional who understands these things fully.

People who simply buy a hearing aid and start using it without moving through the right processes run the risk of damaging their hearing rather than correcting its problems. A lack of professional support is risky, so if you want to make sure you never find yourself dealing with these issues, simply contact a professional audiologist and work alongside them.

The impact they have on the progression of hearing loss

When hearing aids are not programmed correctly, they can lead to damaging scenarios where your hearing begins to decline at a faster rate than it ordinarily would. And programming a hearing aid is not as simple as you might think. It takes training and practice and only qualified professionals really know how.

Of course, with the correct hearing aid that’s programmed properly by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing, the hearing aid will compensate for your hearing loss and won’t accelerate the loss of hearing in any way at all. That’s what most people understandably want and expect from their hearing aids.

When hearing aids are fitted properly, they don’t damage hearing

It’s all about the correct fitting and programming. It’s never recommended to simply start using a hearing aid. But with the rise of the internet, people are finding it more tempting than ever before to read a quick guide online and to make an online purchase of a hearing aid that they think sounds about right for them.

Unfortunately, it’s never as simple as that. And if that’s the route you choose to take, you should be aware that you’re risking your hearing and taking the chance that the situation with regards to your hearing loss will be made worse not better. And that’s obviously not what you want here.

See an audiologist

The simple solution to all of this is to consult a professional audiologist and place yourself under their care. They’ll be able to help you through the entire process. It’ll all begin with testing your hearing and then analyzing the test results that come back.

From there, they’ll be able to explain the results to you and start looking for the solution that’ll work best for you and address the particular kind of hearing loss that you’re experiencing. As part of that service, they’ll fit and program any new hearing aid that you eventually choose.

If you have any further questions about hearing aids or want to find out about how a professionally fitted hearing aid might help you with the hearing loss you’ve been experiencing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Brentwood Hearing Center. We’ll be able to assist you with finding the device that’s right for you and we’ll then set it up correctly. Call us today at (615) 866-0431.