As a general rule, people don’t like change. Looked at through that prism, hearing aids can represent a double-edged sword: your life will undergo an enormous change but they also will allow exciting new opportunities. That amount of change can be tricky, particularly if you’re somebody that has come to embrace the placid convenience of your regular routine. New hearing aids can create some distinct challenges. 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 dramatically improved whether you are getting your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful design. That could be quite a challenge depending on your circumstances. But your transition might be a little bit easier if you follow these tips.
When You First Get Your Hearing Aids Only Use Them Intermittently
The more you use your hearing aids, as a basic rule, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a little uncomfortable when you’re breaking them in if you wear them for 18 hours a day. You might start by trying to wear your hearing aids for 8 hours at a time, and then steadily build up your endurance.
Listen to Conversations For Practice
When your brain first begins to hear sound again it will most likely need a transition period. You might have a hard time making out speech with clarity or following conversations during this adjustment time. But if you want to reset the hearing-language-and-interpreting part of your brain, you can try practicing techniques like following along with an audiobook.
Have Your Hearing Aids Fitted
One of the first things you’ll do – even before you receive your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. Increasing comfort, taking account of the size and shape of your ear canal, and adjusting for your personal loss of hearing are all things that a fitting can help with. You could require several adjustments. It’s crucial to come see us for follow-up appointments and to be serious about these fittings. Your hearing aids will sound better and will sit more comfortably if they fit well. Adjustments to different conditions can also be done by us.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adapting to a new hearing aid is a little difficult because something’s not functioning properly. Maybe you hear too much feedback (which can be painful). Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps cutting out (which can be frustrating). These types of problems can make it overwhelming to adapt to your hearing aids, so it’s a good idea to find solutions as soon as possible. Try these tips:
- Talk over any ringing or buzzing with your hearing professional. At times, your cell phone will cause interference with your hearing aid. In other instances, it could be that we have to make some adjustments.
- Ask your hearing professional to be certain that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your loss of hearing.
- If you hear a lot of feedback, make sure that your hearing aids are correctly seated in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a little off) and that there aren’t any obstructions (such as excess earwax).
- 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.
The Rewards of Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
Just as it would with new glasses, it may take you a small amount of time to adapt to your new hearing aids. We hope you will have an easier and faster transition with these guidelines. But if you stay with it – if you put yourself into a regimen with your hearing aids and really invest in adapting to them – you’ll be pleased by how it all becomes second-nature. But pretty soon you will be able to place your attention on what your hearing: like your favorite shows or music or the daily interactions you’ve been missing. These sounds will remind you that all those adjustments are worth it ultimately. And change is good.