Hearing aids do not fix your hearing loss; they amplify sounds to a level your ears can hear. Your ears will be exposed to noises you have not heard in years, and some noises, like your voice, will sound different than you remember. Getting used to wearing your new hearing aids takes some time, but your Hearing Health Centers audiologist put together a list of tips to help make the process easier.
Wear Your Hearing Aids at Home
When you first get your hearing aids, you should wear them at home or in other quiet environments. Focus on simple, one-on-one conversations, letting your brain get used to the new noises. We recommend letting those around you know you are in a transition phase. Not only will they be more understanding, but they can help hold you accountable if you are not wearing your hearing aids.
Your voice will sound funny when you first start wearing hearing aids. When you are wearing the devices at home, you can get used to your voice by talking to a pet or reading aloud.
Another home exercise is trying to identify where sounds are coming from.
Take Breaks When Needed
You’ll be instructed to wear your hearing aids for just a few hours the first day. Then over the next few weeks, you will gradually increase the time the devices spend in your ears. You should also begin wearing your hearing aids in more difficult listening environments.
While going slow is helpful, you may still experience listening fatigue. Don’t be afraid to take a break when needed.
Expect to be Frustrated
Frustration is a normal part of your hearing aid journey. Your brain is learning how to process new sounds, distinguish important sounds from background noise and prioritize certain sounds over others; this process can be very overwhelming. Giving yourself permission to feel the way you do will help you from getting discouraged and giving up.
Attend All Follow-Ups
Before you left Hearing Health Centers with your new hearing aid, your audiologist made sure you scheduled a follow-up visit two weeks later. This appointment is important—don’t skip it.
Your follow-up visit gives your audiologist a chance to further fine-tune and adjust your hearing aids. They will ask you about any difficult listening situations you found yourself in and make sure the devices fit comfortably in your ear. They will also answer any questions that may have come up since your last appointment.
Getting used to a new hearing aid is a difficult process, but the experts at Hearing Health Centers will be there with you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.