As a general rule, people don’t like change. Taking this into account, there can be a double edged sword regarding hearing aids: they create an amazing new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a considerable modification of your life. That amount of change can be tricky, specifically if you’re the type of person that enjoys the placid convenience of your regular routine. New hearing aids can create a few particular difficulties. But learning how to adjust to these devices can help ensure your new hearing aids will be a change you will enjoy.
Guidelines to Help You Adapt More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Whether it’s your first set of hearing aids (congrats!) or an upgrade to a more robust set, any new hearing aid is going to represent a considerable enhancement in how you hear. Depending on your personal circumstances, that might be quite an adjustment. But your transition may be a little bit smoother if you follow these tips.
When You First Get Your Hearing Aids Only Wear Them Intermittently
As a general rule, the more you wear your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a somewhat uncomfortable when you’re breaking them in if you use them for 18 hours a day. You could start by trying to wear your hearing aids for 8 hours intervals, and then slowly build up your stamina.
Listen to Conversations For Practice
When your brain is first able to hear sound again it will most likely need a transition period. During this transition period, it might be difficult to follow conversations or hear speech with clarity. But if you want to reset the hearing-language-and-interpreting portion of your brain, you can try practicing exercises 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 get your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. The fitting process helps adjust the device to your individual hearing loss, differences in the shape and size of your ear canal, and help maximize comfort. You may need to have several adjustments. It’s important to consult us for follow-up appointments and to be serious about these fittings. When your hearing aids fit well, your hearing aids will sit more comfortably and sound more natural. We can also help you make adjustments to different hearing conditions.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adjusting to a new hearing aid is a little difficult because something’s not working properly. If there is too much feedback that can be uncomfortable. It can also be frustrating when the hearing aid keeps falling out. These types of problems can make it hard to adjust to your hearing aids, so it’s best to find solutions as soon as possible. Try these tips:
- Charge your hearing aids every day or exchange the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to decrease, they normally do not work as effectively as they’re intended to.
- Consult your hearing expert to double check that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your loss of hearing.
- Talk over any ringing or buzzing with your hearing specialist. Sometimes, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other cases, it may be that we need to make some adjustments.
- If you notice 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 aren’t any blockages (earwax for instance).
The Advantages of Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
It may take a little time to adjust to your new hearing aids just like it would with new glasses. We hope you will have an easier and quicker transition with these guidelines. But you will be pleased by how simple it will become if you stay with it and get into a routine. And once that occurs, you’ll be capable of devoting your attention to the things you’re actually listening to: like your favorite programs or music or the day-to-day discussions you’ve missed. Ultimately all these adjustments are well worth it. And change is good.