People generally 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 represent a considerable transformation of your life. If your a person who likes a very rigid routine, the change can be overwhelming. There are very particular hurdles with new hearing aids. But making this change positive is primarily about understanding how to adjust to these devices.
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 model. Depending on your personal situation, that might represent quite an adjustment. Following these guidelines might make your transition a bit more comfortable.
When You First Get Your Hearing Aids Only Wear Them Intermittently
As a basic rule, the more you use your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a somewhat uncomfortable when your getting used to them if you use them for 18 hours a day. 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 most likely need a little bit of time to get used to the idea that it can hear sounds again. You may have a difficult time hearing speech with clarity or following conversations during this adjustment time. But practicing with listening or reading exercises (like reading along to an audiobook) can allow the language-hearing-and-interpreting region of your brain reassert itself.
Get a Fitting For Your Hearing Aids
One of the first things you’ll do – even before you get your final hearing aids – is go through a fitting process. The fitting process helps adjust the device to your individual loss of hearing, differences in the shape of your ear canal, and help maximize comfort. Several adjustments could be required. It’s imperative to be serious about these fittings – and to see us for follow-up appointments. When your hearing aids fit well, your hearing aids will sit more comfortably and sound more natural. Adjustments to various conditions can also be made by us.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adapting to a new hearing aid is a little difficult because something’s not working properly. If there’s too much feedback that can be uncomfortable. Or perhaps the hearing aid keeps cutting out (which can be infuriating). These kinds of issues can make it overwhelming to adapt to your hearing aids, so it’s best to find solutions as early as you can. Try these guidelines:
- Discuss any ringing or buzzing with your hearing specialist. Sometimes, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other situations, it may be that we have to make some adjustments.
- Charge your hearing aids every night or exchange the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to decline, they often do not perform as effectively as they’re meant to.
- If you hear a lot of feedback, ensure that your hearing aids are properly sitting in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a little off) and that there are no blockages (earwax for instance).
- Ask your hearing specialist to be sure that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your hearing loss.
Adapting to Your New Hearing Aids Has Its Advantages
It could take a little time to adapt to your new hearing aids just as it would with a new pair of glasses. Hopefully, with the help of these suggestions, that adjustment period will proceed somewhat more smoothly (and quickly). But if you stick with it – if you put yourself into a regimen with your hearing aids and really invest in adapting to them – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how it all becomes second-nature. And once that takes place, you’ll be capable of devoting your attention to the things you’re actually listening to: like the daily discussion you’ve been missing out on or your favorite music. In the end, all these adjustments are well worth it. And sometimes change is not a bad thing.