Hearing aids make an instant change from the first time you try them out. As thrilling as it may be to hear things crystal clear again, it takes some time to new hearing aid wearers to adapt. Sometimes it might be hard to familiarize to the new sensation of physically putting something in your ear. You will hear all kinds of noises you might not have heard before or other noises you heard before might seem much louder such as ticking of the clock or the humming of the fridge.
It is important to recall that hearing aids will not exactly imitate how you used to hear before you had hearing loss. For some people, the biggest change is the sound of their own voice.
As such, here are a few tips to help adjust to your new hearing aids so that you enjoy their benefits to the fullest on your first few days of transition.
1. Start wearing them gradually.
Wearing your new hearing aids for the first time might feel so weird. It might be distracting and sometimes tiring. Therefore, you should start wearing them for a few hours a day. After getting used to them, you can start increasing the number of times you wear them until you are able to wear them all day. Your audiologist can provide you with a daily schedule on how much time to wear them. If you felt exhausted from wearing them the first few days, reduce the amount of time the next day and start again. Before long, you will get used to wearing them all day without any issue.
2. How to wear hearing aids
Even quiet noises can make a big impact when you’re wearing hearing aids. The sudden difference in sounds can be overwhelming because your brain has not processed these sounds for so long. Start by wearing them in your own home in a quiet room. The more you familiarize to them, the more you can wear them in other crowded environments. With time, escalate your exposure to higher levels of environmental sounds such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and others. Make a list of sounds that bother you and discuss them with your audiologist in the follow-up session.
3. Be patient. Don’t adjust the settings directly.
If you chose your hearing aids with the help of an audiologist, then they have sure taken the time to meet your hearing needs. As such, you won’t need to modify the volume or settings of it. It may be tempting to change the volume if something is a little far away, but this will improve your hearing beyond the normal range and you might harm your hearing for everyday use without noticing. Besides, modern hearing aids acclimate to different environments automatically through volume adjustment settings, so you don’t need to manually adjust it.
Give it some time to get used to the settings. If you still feel a need to alter them, then you can contact your audiologist.
4. Take care for your hearing aids.
Cleaning them regularly is a necessity. Proper care and maintenance are essential to securing the best use of your hearing aids and their accessories. Get a hearing aid kit and make sure to clean them thoroughly. Limit their exposure to too much moisture, dust or earwax because it will affect their performance. Buy a dehumidifier if your hearing aids aren’t originally dehumidifying. Always store them in their safe protected case even when sleeping or going bathroom. Keep it out of reach of children. Turn them off when you’re not using them. Make these tips a habit. Your audiologist can also offer you plenty of advice and hearing aid care tips on how to take care of them.
5. Practice reading and speaking.
With hearing loss and the use of quality hearing aids, your own vocal control will be different and difficult. You have to accommodate to new habits for verbal communication and paying more attention to nonverbal communication. You will find the volume of your own voice increasing. You should control your volume and voice tone and habituate your speaking by reading out loud to yourself.
You will find it easier to adjust the volume of your voice rather than the hearing aids settings. It just needs some practice to do so instinctively. Start practicing with friends and family first so it will be less distracting in louder environments.
6. Report any pain.
Regardless which hearing aids device you chose, you are equipped with custom-fitted earmolds and accessories that fit comfortably and easily in your ears. However, audiologists always note that new hearing aids can cause minor tenderness at first. If they cause any ear pain, you should contact them immediately to address the problem.
It’s important for new wearers to be happy and satisfied with their devices. The first couple of days often bring to light if the device they’re using delivers the right results.
Give it a couple of weeks following these tips above to check if you have become accustomed to your new hearing aids. If you have any problems with them following that, you should contact your audiologist and not hesitate to reach out to them, even between appointments. They will be your new best friend. If they helped you choose your hearing aids, then they will likely have arranged an appointment to check how you’re adapting to them. They can address all your questions regarding your new hearing aids, diagnose and resolve any issues that might pop up on the spot, including offering repairs or replacements, and can provide plenty of tips on how to take care of and make use of your hearing aids.