With their ability to boost communication and quality of life, hearing aids are a huge asset. Yet, a few individuals experience headaches when they initially put on hearing aids. Fortunately, these headaches are generally fleeting and simple to manage with the right adjustments and care, though they are frustrating at first. Let’s examine why these headaches happen and how to avoid or treat them!
The main reasons hearing aids cause headaches
- Poor Fitting: An incorrectly adjusted hearing aid can cause pressure on the ear’s sensitive structures, resulting in headaches and discomfort. If headaches are occurring with your new hearing aid, the likely cause is an improperly fitted device.
- A Rush of Sound: It takes time for your brain to adjust to processing the louder sound signals. Initially, hearing sounds you couldn’t hear before– such as background noise– can be too much and induce headaches. The good news is that this phenomenon is usually temporary and should resolve before long.
- Excessive Volume Setting: Setting the volume too loud can lead to auditory fatigue from the high-volume input, thereby causing headaches. Try starting out at a lower volume and slowly increasing over time as you acclimatize to your new level of hearing.
- High-Pitched Sounds: Hearing aids that produce feedback or a high-pitched whistling sound can irritate the ears and cause tension headaches. Make sure to talk to your hearing specialist if your device emits any sound that leads to agitation.
- Adjustment Period: Remember: Your brain must be given time to adapt to the use of your hearing aid. During this period, some people experience mild discomfort, including headaches, as the brain recalibrates how to process sounds.
How to manage and prevent headaches
- A Proper Fitting is Key: Be certain your hearing aids are expertly adjusted to eliminate any pressure points inside your ear canal.
- Volume Adjustment is Key: begin at a comfortable setting and incrementally increase the volume to avoid overtaxing your hearing system.
- Background noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids. If your device is without this, speak with your audiologist about modifying the settings or upgrading the device.
- Throughout the day, take breaks during the acclimation period to avoid the onset of sensory fatigue.
- Regular Check-ups: Stay in contact with your hearing specialist for fine-tuning adjustments, particularly if your device is leading to discomfort.
When you need to contact a hearing care specialist about your headaches
If the headaches persist beyond the initial adaptation period or are accompanied by other symptoms– like dizziness, ear pain, or nausea– it’s time to talk to an audiologist.
Persistent headaches might indicate that you have wrong device settings or an unseen issue, such as a hearing aid malfunction or an ear infection.
How the correct hearing aid can enhance your life
Though hearing aid headaches can be bothersome, they’re usually temporary and are easily fixed with professional support. Without leading to discomfort, the right hearing aid, customized to your needs, can substantially boost your quality of life. If you experience any issues, reach out to your audiologist– your comfort and hearing health matter! Ultimately, your hearing specialist knows that if your hearing aid is causing you pain, you’ll likely stop wearing it.
Temporary Headaches are Normal
Headaches resulting from hearing aids are common– think of them as a minor obstacle toward better hearing. This is a common experience, and it will probably be resolved with minor modifications. The right care and adjustments will get you back on track, enjoying the little sounds of life, music, and conversations in short order!
If you are suffering from headaches caused by your hearing aid, schedule an appointment today.