As a general rule, people don’t like change. Taking this into account, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: they create an exciting new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a considerable transformation of your life. If your a person who appreciates a very fixed routine, the change can be hard. New hearing aids can introduce a few specific difficulties. But learning how to adapt to these devices can help make sure your new hearing aids will be a change you will welcome.
Tips to Help You Adjust More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing will be considerably improved whether you are moving to your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful model. That could be challenging depending on your situation. Utilizing these guidelines might make your transition a little more comfortable.
Begin Using Your Hearing Aids in Smaller Doses
As a general rule, the more you wear your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a little uncomfortable when your getting used to them if you use them for 18 hours a day. You might try to build up your stamina by starting with 8 hours and building up from there.
Pay Attention to Conversations For Practice
When you first start using your hearing aids, your brain will most likely need some time to get accustomed to the idea that it’s able to hear sounds again. During this adjustment period, it may be difficult to follow conversations or make out speech clearly. But practicing using listening or reading drills (such as reading along to an audiobook) can help the language-hearing-and-interpreting region of your brain reassert itself.
Get a Fitting For Your Hearing Aids
One of the initial things you’ll do – even before you get your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. The fitting procedure helps adjust the device for your individual loss of hearing, differences in the shape and size of your ear canal, and help improve comfort. You may require more than one adjustment. It’s important 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 help you make adjustments to various hearing environments.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes when you first buy your hearing aid something may not be working properly and it becomes hard to adapt to it. If there’s too much feedback that can be uncomfortable. Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps falling out (which can be frustrating). These kinds of problems can make it overwhelming to adjust to your hearing aids, so it’s best to find solutions as early as you can. Try these tips:
- Charge your hearing aids every day or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to decline, they often don’t work as efficiently as they’re meant to.
- Discuss any ringing or buzzing with your hearing specialist. Occasionally, your cell phone will cause interference with your hearing aid. In other instances, it could be that we have to make some adjustments.
- Consult your hearing professional to double check that the hearing aids are properly calibrated to your hearing loss.
- If you hear a lot of feedback, ensure that your hearing aids are properly seated in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a bit off) and that there aren’t any blockages (earwax for instance).
Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids Has Its Advantages
It may take a bit of time to adapt to your new hearing aids just as it would with new glasses. We hope you will have a smoother and quicker transition with these suggestions. But if you stick with it – if you get yourself into a regimen with your hearing aids and really invest in adjusting to them – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how it all becomes second-nature. But pretty soon you will be able to put your attention on what your listening to: like your favorite programs or music or the daily discussions you’ve missed. These sounds remind you that all those adjustments are worth it ultimately. And sometimes change is not a bad thing.
