As a basic rule, most people don’t like change. Taking this into consideration, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: they create an amazing new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a considerable transformation of your life. That level of change can be tricky, particularly if you’re the type of person that has come to embrace the placid comfort of your regular routine. There are very particular challenges with new hearing aids. But understanding how to adjust to these devices can help ensure your new hearing aids will be a change you will enjoy.
Tips to Help You Adjust More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing will be considerably enhanced whether you are getting your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful design. That could be quite a challenge depending on your situation. But your transition might be a little bit easier if you follow these tips.
Start Using Your Hearing Aids in Smaller Doses
As a basic rule, the more you wear your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a little uncomfortable when you’re getting used to them if you wear them for 18 hours a day. You could begin by trying to wear your hearing aids for 8 hours intervals, and then slowly build up your endurance.
Practice Listening to Conversations
When you first begin using your hearing aids, your brain will probably need a little bit of time to get used to the concept that it can hear sounds again. You could have a difficult time making out speech with clarity or following conversations during this adjustment time. But if you want to reset the hearing-language-and-interpreting part of your brain, you can try doing techniques such as reading along with an audiobook.
Spend The Time to Get a Hearing Aid Fitting
One of the initial things you’ll do – even before you receive your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. Maximizing comfort, taking account of the shape of your ear canal, and adjusting for your individual loss of hearing are all things that a fitting can help with. Several adjustments may be required. It’s crucial to be serious about these fittings – and to see us for follow-up appointments. When your hearing aids fit well, your devices will sit more comfortably and sound more natural. We can also help you make adjustments to different hearing environments.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adjusting to a new hearing aid is a bit difficult because something’s not working quite right. If there’s too much feedback that can be painful. Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps cutting out (which can be frustrating). These types of issues can make it hard to adapt to your hearing aids, so it’s best to find solutions as early as possible. Try these tips:
- Consult your hearing specialist to be sure that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your hearing loss.
- Talk over any ringing or buzzing with your hearing professional. At times, your cell phone will cause interference with your hearing aid. In other instances, it could be that we need to make some adjustments.
- Charge your hearing aids every night or exchange the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to diminish, they normally do not work as efficiently as they’re meant to.
- If you hear a lot of feedback, make sure that your hearing aids are correctly seated in your ears (it could be that your fit is just a bit off) and that there are no obstructions (earwax for instance).
The Rewards of Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
It could take a little time to adjust to your new hearing aids just like it would with new glasses. Hopefully, with the help of these recommendations, that adjustment period will proceed somewhat more smoothly (and quickly). But if you stay with it – if you put yourself into a routine with your hearing aids and really invest in adjusting to them – you’ll be pleased by how it all becomes second-nature. And once that takes place, you’ll be capable of devoting your attention to the things you’re actually listening to: like the day-to-day conversation you’ve been missing out on or your favorite music. These sounds remind you that all those adjustments are worth it in the end. And change is good.
