As a general rule, most people don’t like change. Taking this into consideration, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: they unlock an amazing new world of sounds for you, but they also signify a substantial modification of your life. If your someone who enjoys a very rigid routine, the change can be difficult. New hearing aids can introduce some distinct difficulties. But understanding how to adjust to these devices can help guarantee your new hearing aids will be a change you will welcome.
Here Are Some Quick Suggestion to Adapt to Your New Hearing Aids
Whether it’s your first pair of hearing aids (congrats!) or an improvement to a more robust set, any new hearing aid will represent a considerable enhancement to the way you hear. That could be quite a challenge depending on your situation. Utilizing these guidelines might make your transition a bit more comfortable.
When You First Get Your Hearing Aids Only Use Them Intermittently
The more you use your hearing aids, as a general rule, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a little uncomfortable when you’re breaking them in if you use them for 18 hours a day. You may try to build up your stamina by starting with 8 hours and building up from there.
Practice Tuning in to Conversations
When you first begin wearing your hearing aids, your brain will probably need a little bit of time to become accustomed to the concept that it can hear sounds again. During this transition period, it might be difficult to follow conversations or make out speech with clarity. But practicing with listening or reading drills (like reading along to an audiobook) can allow the language-hearing-and-interpreting portion of your brain reassert itself.
Take The Time to Get a Hearing Aid Fitting
One of the first things you’ll do – even before you get your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. The fitting procedure assists in adjusting the device for your individual loss of hearing, differences in the shape and size of your ear canal, and help improve comfort. Several adjustments might be required. It’s crucial to consult us for follow-up appointments and to take these fittings seriously. When your hearing aids fit well, your hearing aids will sit more comfortably and sound more natural. Adjustments to various conditions can also be done by us.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adapting to a new hearing aid is somewhat difficult because something’s not working quite right. If there is too much feedback that can be painful. It can also be frustrating when the hearing aid keeps falling out. It can be overwhelming to adapt to hearing aids because of these types of problems, so it’s best to find solutions as early as possible. Try these guidelines:
- If you hear 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 are no obstructions (earwax for instance).
- Talk over any ringing or buzzing with your hearing professional. Sometimes, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other cases, it may be that we have to make some adjustments.
- Charge your hearing aids every evening or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to wane, they often don’t work as efficiently as they’re intended to.
- Ask your hearing specialist to double check that the hearing aids are properly calibrated to your hearing loss.
The Rewards of Adapting to Your New Hearing Aids
Just as it would with a new pair of glasses, it may take you a little bit of time to get used to your new hearing aids. Ideally, you will have a smoother and quicker transition with these guidelines. But you will be pleased by how normal it will become if you stick with it and find a routine. But before long you will be able to place your attention on what your hearing: like the daily conversation you’ve been missing out on or your favorite music. These sounds will remind you that all those adjustments are worth it ultimately. And change is good.