You finally obtained those new hearing aids. You’re finally going to be able to get back into the groove of your social life again. No more bad transitions or confused conversations. But there’s a problem: everything sounds a little bit off.
That’s because it’ll probably take you some time to adjust to a new set of hearing aids. This can be an annoying transition. After all, there was so much you were looking forward to, and that adjustment period just feels so long.
The good news is, there are some tips that can help speed up the transition process. With some practice, you can quickly get yourself to a space where you’re paying less attention to hearing aids, and paying more attention to what you’re hearing.
Tips that help you start Slowly
Regardless of how technologically advanced they might be, it’s going to take your brain some time to adjust to hearing certain sounds again. Use these tips to proceed slowly and purposely give your ears time to adjust.:
- Focus on one-on-one conversations first: If you wear your hearing aids while eating at a crowded restaurant on your first day using the devices, you may be disappointed, not because the devices aren’t working. It’s just that it’s difficult for your ear and brain to cope with focusing on all those different voices. Sticking to one-on-one conversations can help make that transition smoother (and give you a bit of extra practice, too).
- Wear your hearing aids for a short period of time: A few hours at a time is the most you should wear your hearing aids when you first start out. They might feel a little uncomfortable at first (this is normal), so it’s okay to start a little bit at a time. You can begin to use your hearing aids for longer durations as you become accustomed to them.
- Start by wearing your hearing aids at home only: You’ll be less likely to encounter noise pollution at home and you will be able to have a better degree of control over the sounds you’re hearing. This will help you focus on individual voices.
Tips that help you get extra practice in
There are some things you can do, as with any skill, that can help you practice hearing. You might even have a little fun!
- Use closed-captions when you watch TV: It’s easy: Turn on the TV, put your hearing aids in, and enjoy. As you read the dialog you’ll also be hearing the actors speak, and your brain will begin to remember what all these words sound like. This sort of practice will help you get used to understanding speech again.
- Listen to an audiobook while you read the printed book: This comparable exercise can also be quite enjoyable. Your brain will learn to make connections between words and sounds by employing this read along approach.
- Do some listening practice: That’s right: Go somewhere a little quiet and take in the sounds around you. Begin by focusing on the sound of wind blowing through the trees or birds chirping or nearby running water.
Tips to keep your hearing health strong
Keeping your ears as healthy as you can, after all, is one of the main purposes of hearing aids. And there are a few tips you can do to keep your ears happy as you get used to wearing your new hearing aid:
- Be sure to take note of and report any pain: Your hearing aids shouldn’t hurt. So it’s important to let us know about any problems with fit or any pain right away.
- Keep visiting us: There might be a temptation to believe that once you have the right hearing aids, you won’t need to see us anymore. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can continue to monitor your hearing, make certain the fit is comfortable, and make any required adjustments. It’s important to continue with these follow up visits.
Be patient, and work up to full-time hearing aids
Your goal here will be to work your way up to using your hearing aids full time. Everybody’s unique but the slow and steady approach often works best. Understanding the best ways to get comfortable with your new hearing aids is something we can help you with.
Implementing these tips (and tips like them) can help make sure that you enjoy having your hearing aids and that you keep using them because they continue to enrich your life.