People normally don’t like change. Taking this into consideration, there can be a double edged sword with hearing aids: they open up an exciting new world of sounds for you, but they also represent a substantial transformation of your life. If your someone who appreciates a very fixed routine, the change can be difficult. There are very specific hurdles with new hearing aids. But learning how to adapt to these devices can help ensure your new hearing aids will be a change you will enjoy.
Tips to Help You Adjust More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Whether it’s your first set of hearing aids (congrats!) or an improvement to a more robust set, any new hearing aid will represent a considerable improvement in the way you hear. That could be challenging depending on your circumstances. Utilizing these guidelines might make your transition a little more comfortable.
Begin Using Your Hearing Aids in Smaller Doses
The more you wear 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 hearing aids for 18 hours per day can be quite unpleasant. You might begin by trying to use your hearing aids for 8 hours intervals, and then gradually build up your stamina.
Listen to Conversations For Practice
When you first begin using your hearing aids, your brain will probably need some time to get used to the idea that it can hear sounds again. During this transition period, it may be difficult to follow conversations or make out speech clearly. But practicing with reading or listening drills (such as reading along to an audiobook) can help the language-hearing-and-interpreting region of your brain wake back up.
Take The Time to Get a Hearing Aid Fitting
Even before you get your final hearing aids, one of the first things you will do – 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 maximize comfort. More than one adjustment may be needed. It’s essential to consult us for follow-up appointments and to take these fittings seriously. Your device will sound more natural and will sit more comfortably if they fit properly. Adjustments to different conditions can also be done by us.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes when you first buy your hearing aid something isn’t working right and it becomes hard to adjust to it. If there’s too much feedback that can be painful. Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps falling out (which can be frustrating). It can be difficult to adapt to hearing aids because of these kinds of issues, so it’s best to find solutions as early as you can. Try these guidelines:
- Charge your hearing aids every evening or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to decrease, they normally don’t work as effectively as they’re meant to.
- Discuss any buzzing or ringing with your hearing professional. Occasionally, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other situations, it could be that we need to make some adjustments.
- If you notice a lot of feedback, ensure 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 blockages (such as excess earwax).
- Consult your hearing professional to double check that the hearing aids are properly calibrated to your loss of hearing.
Adapting to Your New Hearing Aids Has It’s Advantages
It could take a little time to adjust to your new hearing aids just as it would with a new pair of glasses. Hopefully, you will have a smoother and faster transition with these recommendations. 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 capable of devoting your attention to the things you’re actually hearing: like your favorite programs or music or the day-to-day interactions you’ve been missing. These sounds will remind you that all those adjustments are worth it in the end. And change is good.