As a general rule, most people don’t like change. Taking this into consideration, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: your life will go through an enormous change but they also will bring exciting new possibilities. That degree of change can be tricky, specifically if you’re somebody that enjoys the placid comfort of your regular routine. New hearing aids can create some specific difficulties. But learning how to adapt to these devices can help make sure your new hearing aids will be a change you will enjoy.
Here Are Some Quick Ways to Adapt to Your New Hearing Aids
Your hearing will be considerably improved whether you are getting your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful model. Depending on your individual circumstances, that might be quite an adjustment. But your transition may be a bit easier if you follow these tips.
Start Wearing Your Hearing Aids in Smaller Doses
The more you use your hearing aids, as a general rule, the healthier your ears will stay. But if you’re breaking in your very first pair, wearing your devices for 18 hours a day can be quite uncomfortable. You might 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 probably need a little bit of time to get used to the idea that it can hear sounds again. You may have a difficult time making out speech clearly or following conversations during this adjustment period. But practicing with reading or listening exercises (such as reading along to an audiobook) can help the language-hearing-and-interpreting region of your brain reassert itself.
Have Your Hearing Aids Fitted
Even before you get your final hearing aid, one of the first things you will have to do – is go through a fitting process. The fitting process helps adjust the device for your individual hearing loss, differences in the shape and size of your ear canal, and help improve comfort. More than one adjustment may be required. It’s crucial to come see us for follow-up appointments and to take these fittings seriously. Your hearing aids will sound more natural and will sit more comfortably if they fit properly. We can also help you make adjustments to various hearing conditions.
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 uncomfortable. Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps cutting out (which can be infuriating). It can be difficult to adjust to hearing aids because of these kinds of problems, so it’s best to find solutions as early as you can. Try these guidelines:
- If you hear a lot of feedback, make sure that your hearing aids are properly seated in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a little off) and that there are no obstructions (earwax for instance).
- Charge your hearing aids every day or exchange the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to wane, they normally do not work as effectively as they’re intended to.
- talk about any ringing or buzzing with your hearing expert. At times, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other cases, it may be that we need to make some adjustments.
- Consult your hearing expert to double check that the hearing aids are properly calibrated to your hearing loss.
Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids Has Its Rewards
Just as it would with a new pair of glasses, it might take you a small amount of time to get used to your new hearing aids. We hope, with the help of these recommendations, that adjustment period will go a little bit more smoothly (and quickly). But you will be surprised how natural it will become if you stick with it and get into a routine. And once that takes place, you’ll be able to devote your attention to the things you’re actually listening to: like the day-to-day conversation you’ve been missing or your favorite music. Ultimately all these adjustments are well worth it. And change is good.