As a basic rule, people don’t like change. Taking this into account, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: they open up an amazing new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a considerable modification of your life. If your someone who enjoys a very rigid routine, the change can be overwhelming. There are very particular hurdles with new hearing aids. But understanding how to adapt to these devices can help ensure your new hearing aids will be a change you will welcome.
Guidelines to Help You Adjust More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing will be significantly enhanced whether you are moving to your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful design. Depending on your individual circumstances, that might represent a big adjustment. But your transition might be a little bit easier if you follow these guidelines.
Start Wearing Your Hearing Aids in Smaller Doses
As a basic rule, the more you use your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will be. But if you’re breaking in your very first pair, wearing your devices for 18 hours per day can be somewhat unpleasant. You could try to build up your endurance by starting with 8 hours and building up from there.
Practice Listening to Conversations
When your brain first begins to hear sound again it will most likely need a transition period. During this adjustment period, it might be tough 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 techniques such as following along with an audiobook.
Have Your Hearing Aids Fitted
One of the initial things you’ll do – even before you receive 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 of your ear canal, and help improve comfort. Several adjustments might be required. It’s essential to come see us for follow-up appointments and to take these fittings seriously. When your hearing aids fit properly, your hearing aids will sit more comfortably and sound better. Adjustments to various conditions can also be made by us.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes when you first buy your hearing aid something isn’t working right and it becomes difficult 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 infuriating). It can be hard to adapt to hearing aids because of these kinds of problems, so it’s best to find solutions as soon as possible. Try these tips:
- Charge your hearing aids every evening or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to diminish, they often don’t perform 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.
- If you notice a lot of feedback, make sure that your hearing aids are correctly sitting in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a bit off) and that there aren’t any obstructions (such as excess earwax).
- Discuss any buzzing or ringing with your hearing specialist. Occasionally, your cell phone will cause interference with your hearing aid. In other situations, it may be that we need to make some adjustments.
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. Hopefully, with the help of these suggestions, that adjustment period will go a little bit more smoothly (and quickly). But you will be pleased by how natural it will become if you stick with it and get into a routine. And once that occurs, you’ll be able to devote your attention to the things you’re actually listening to: like the daily conversation you’ve been missing or your favorite tunes. These sounds remind you that all those adjustments are worth it ultimately. And change is good.