Growing older has its perks, like wisdom and experience. But for many, it also means facing certain health challenges, such as hearing loss. However, this shouldn’t deter us from enjoying life’s pleasures, especially when it comes to music.
For the passionate music lover, adjusting to hearing aids can be a journey. Let’s look at how to make that transition smoother with these hearing aid music tips.
There’s a myth that wearing a hearing aid might change the way music sounds. However, it’s essential to understand that modern hearing aids aren’t just about amplifying sound. They’re designed to enhance sound quality, including the rich notes of your favourite songs.
On the other hand, some people have a better-quality listening experience if they take their hearing aids out and use noise-cancelling headphones. So try experimenting to see what works for you.
Setting up your hearing aids is like fine-tuning a musical instrument.
- Finding the right setting: Newer hearing aids often come with modes tailored for listening to music. This feature can make a world of difference to how you perceive various instruments and vocals.
- Balancing it out: It’s not just about making things louder. With the right settings, you can achieve a perfect balance between volume and clarity, letting you hear every note distinctly.
- Seeking professional help: Audiologists and other hearing professionals may be able to give personal advice to help you optimise your hearing aids for listening to music.
While every genre has something unique to offer, some music styles might be more comfortable for hearing aid users.
Softer genres like classical, jazz, or even folk can be easier on the ears and offer an enjoyable listening experience. But remember, it’s about personal preference. Explore and see what suits you best.
High volume doesn’t always mean better sound. Especially with hearing aids, it’s better to keep the volume at a level where it’s loud enough to enjoy but not cause discomfort.
You can even try putting a piece of tape over your hearing aid microphone when you’re listening to music at high volume or you’re at a concert or live music performance. This will reduce the volume of sound picked up by the hearing aid, preventing distortion.
There’s a huge range of devices and accessories designed to enhance the music experience for hearing aid users.
Amplified and noise-cancelling headphones can be very helpful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Just be sure not to set the volume too high or listen with headphones for too long, as this can damage your hearing further.
Bluetooth devices can stream directly to your hearing aid, so you’re in full control of the level and balance of the sound.
Portable streamers are also available. These devices pick up the sound from any device or even live events and stream them directly to your hearing aids.
If your hearing aids come with an app, make sure to use it and try adjusting the settings. Select hearing aid settings for music and choose appropriate presets for different environments and listening to different types of music. For music where you want to focus on the lyrics, you may get better results by choosing a speech setting.
Your home environment can play a big role in how you experience music.
- Room dynamics: The arrangement of furniture, the presence of soft furnishings, and even the position of your speakers can affect sound quality.
- Minimising other sounds: To enjoy music to the fullest, try to minimise background noises. Simple steps like closing windows to block out street noise or turning off other electronic devices can help.
- Turn up the bass: Adjust the levels of your music to increase the bass so you can feel it in your body.
Just because your hearing is not quite as good as it used to be doesn’t mean you can no longer enjoy music with hearing loss. It’s all about understanding your needs, getting the right support, and making a few adjustments.
And speaking of support, there’s no harm in getting a hearing check if you haven’t already. Connect Hearing has over 130 hearing clinics Australia-wide, so be sure to
book an appointment for a professional hearing test and personalised advice.