People generally don’t like change. Taking this into account, there can be a double edged sword regarding hearing aids: they create an exciting new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a significant modification of your life. That degree of change can be tricky, specifically if you’re somebody that enjoys the placid comfort of your day-to-day routine. New hearing aids can introduce some distinct challenges. But making this change positive is largely about knowing how to adjust to these devices.
Tips to Help You Adapt More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Whether it’s your first set of hearing aids (congrats!) or an improvement to a more powerful set, any new hearing aid will represent a considerable enhancement to how you hear. That could be challenging depending on your circumstances. Utilizing these guidelines may make your transition a little more comfortable.
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 your getting used to them if you use them for 18 hours a day. You could try to build up your stamina by beginning with 8 hours and increasing from there.
Practice Tuning in to Conversations
When you first start using your hearing aids, your brain will most likely need some time to become accustomed to the idea that it’s able to hear sounds again. You may have a difficult time hearing speech clearly or following conversations during this adjustment time. But practicing with reading or listening exercises (like reading along to an audiobook) can allow the language-hearing-and-interpreting region of your brain reassert itself.
Spend The Time to Get a Hearing Aid Fitting
Even before you get your final hearing aid, one of the first things you will have to do – is go through a fitting process. Improving comfort, taking account of the size and shape of your ear canal, and adjusting for your personal hearing loss are all things that a fitting can help with. More than one adjustment may be required. It’s essential to consult us for follow-up appointments and to be serious about these fittings. Your device will sound more natural and will sit more comfortably if they fit properly. We can also assist you in making adjustments to different hearing conditions.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes when you first get your hearing aid something is not working right and it becomes hard to adapt to it. Possibly you hear too much feedback (which can be painful). Or the hearing aid keeps falling out (which can be frustrating). It can be overwhelming to adapt to hearing aids because of these types of problems, so it’s best to find solutions as soon as you can. Try these tips:
- Ask your hearing specialist to double check that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your loss of hearing.
- Charge your hearing aids every day or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to wane, they often do not perform as effectively as they’re meant to.
- Talk over any buzzing or ringing with your hearing professional. Occasionally, 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, ensure that your hearing aids are properly seated in your ears (it could be that your fit is just a bit off) and that there are no blockages (such as excess earwax).
The Advantages of Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
It may take a bit of time to adjust to your new hearing aids just as it would with new glasses. Hopefully, with the help of these suggestions, that adjustment period will proceed somewhat more smoothly (and quickly). But if you stick with it – if you get yourself into a regimen with your hearing aids and really invest in adapting to them – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how it all becomes easy. And once that takes place, you’ll be able to devote your attention to the things you’re actually hearing: like your favorite shows or music or the day-to-day discussions you’ve been missing. These sounds will remind you that all those adjustments are worth it in the end. And change is good.