You finally obtained those new hearing aids. You’re finally going to be able to get back into the groove of your social life again. No more missed transitions or unclear conversations. But your hearing aids just don’t sound quite right.
The reason for this is that it will normally take a bit of time before you get used to your new hearing aids. This can be a frustrating transition. After all, there was so much you were looking forward to, and that adjustment period just feels so slow.
But there are a few tips you can use to reduce this transition period. With some practice, you can quickly get yourself to a space where you’re thinking less about your hearing aids, and paying more attention to what you’re hearing.
Tips that help you start Slowly
No matter how technologically sophisticated they might be, it’s going to take your brain some time to adjust to hearing certain sounds again. Use these tips to proceed slowly and purposely give your ears time to adapt.:
- Only use your hearing aids for short amounts of time to begin with: When you’re just beginning, you can practice by wearing your hearing aids for only a few hours at a time. Your hearing aids will probably feel a little strange in your ears for a while so beginning slowly is fine. As your hearing aids get more comfortable, you can use them for longer periods of time.
- Start with one-on-one conversations first: You may be setting yourself up for disappointment if you wear your hearing aids in a crowded setting right out of the box. It’s just that it’s difficult for your ear and brain to cope with focusing on all those different voices. By beginning with one-on-one conversations you will make the transition easier and also get a little extra practice.
- Start by using your hearing aids at home only: When you’re at home, you have a lot more control over what you’re hearing, and you’ll likely experience significantly less noise pollution. This means you can focus on one voice at a time.
Tips that help you get extra practice in
Much like any other skill (and hearing is a skill, among other things), there are a few activities that can help you practice with your hearing aids. Some of these are even fun!
- Do some listening practice: That’s right: Sit someplace a little quiet and experience the sounds around you. Start off by tuning in to the sound of wind blowing through the trees or birds chirping or nearby running water.
- Turn on closed-captions when you watch TV: It’s easy: put in your hearing aids, turn on the TV, and watch your favorite show. As you read the words you’ll also be hearing the actors talk, and your brain will begin to remember what all these words sound like. This can give you some practice hearing and getting used to speech.
- Listen to an audiobook while you read the printed book: This is a really similar exercise (and allows you to have some fun reading while you’re at it). Reading and listening to an audiobook simultaneously will help your brain make connections between sounds and words.
Improve your hearing health with these tips
Of course, one of the purposes of hearing aids is to keep your hearing as healthy as possible. And there are a few tips you can do to keep your ears happy as you get used to wearing your new hearing aid:
- Be sure to take note of and let us know about any pain: Your hearing aids shouldn’t hurt. So if you’re noticing any pain or something’s not fitting right, it’s important to report it as soon as possible.
- Keep visiting us: You may not think you need to get hearing exams anymore after you get your hearing aids. This would be a bad idea. We can continue to monitor your hearing, make certain the fit is comfortable, and make any required adjustments. These follow up visits are very important.
Go slow and increase your time as you get used to your hearing aids
Your objective here will be to work your way up to using your hearing aids full time. A slow and progressive strategy is often effective, but everyone’s unique. Understanding the best ways to get comfortable with your new hearing aids is something we can help you with.
Sticking with these tips (and tips like them) can help make sure that you enjoy having your hearing aids and that you keep using them because they continue to enrich your life.
