You finally obtained your new hearing aids. You’re so thrilled to be able to jump into your social life again. No more bad transitions or confused conversations. But your hearing aids just don’t seem quite right.
The reason for this is that it will normally take a bit of time before you get used to your new hearing aids. Often, this transition can be annoying. You were so looking forward to enjoying your hearing again and it feels like it’s taking so long.
But there are a few tips you can use to reduce this transition period. With a little practice, you can quickly get yourself to a place where you’re thinking less about your hearing aids, and paying more attention to what you’re hearing.
Start slowly with these tips
Your brain will take a little while to get used to hearing certain sounds again regardless of how sophisticated your hearing aids are. Use these tips to proceed slowly and purposely give your ears time to adjust.:
- Start with one-on-one conversations first: You could be setting yourself up for frustration if you use your hearing aids in a crowded setting on the first day. It’s just that it’s tough for your ear and brain to manage focusing on all those different voices. Sticking to one-on-one conversations can help make that transition smoother (and give you a little extra practice, as well).
- Wear your hearing aids for a short period of time: When you’re just starting, you can practice by wearing your hearing aids for only a few hours at a time. They may feel a little funny at first (this is normal), so it’s good to start slowly. As your hearing aids become more comfortable, you can wear them for longer periods of time.
- Use your hearing aids only around the house at first: When you’re at home, you have a lot more control over what you’re hearing, and you’ll probably experience significantly less noise pollution. This means you can focus on one voice at a time.
Tips that help you get added practice in
Much like any other skill (and hearing is a skill, among other things), there are some activities that can help you practice with your hearing aids. You may even have some fun!
- Simply practice hearing: That’s right: Go somewhere a little quiet and experience the sounds around you. Begin by focusing on the sound of wind blowing through the trees or birds chirping or nearby running water.
- Use closed-captions when you watch TV: It’s easy: put in your hearing aids, flip on the television, and watch your favorite program. Your brain will begin remembering what certain words sound like as you read along with the voices you’re hearing. This sort of practice will help you adjust to understanding speech again.
- Listen to an audiobook while you read the printed book: This is a really similar exercise (and lets you get in some fun reading while you’re at it). Reading and listening to an audiobook simultaneously will help your brain make connections between sounds and words.
Tips to keep your hearing health up
Obviously, one of the purposes of hearing aids is to keep your hearing as healthy as you can. But, as you take some time to get used to your new hearing aids, there are a few things you can do that your ears will thank you for.:
- Be certain to note and report any pain: Your hearing aids shouldn’t hurt. So if you’re noticing any pain or something’s not fitting right, it’s important to report it as soon as you can.
- Keep visiting us: You may not think you need to get hearing exams anymore after you get your hearing aids. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can continue to watch your hearing, make certain the fit is comfortable, and make any needed adjustments. It’s important to continue with these follow up appointments.
Go slow and maximize your time as you get used to your hearing aids
Working your way up to using your hearing aids full time is the goal here. Everybody’s unique but the slow and steady approach often works best. You’ll want to get personalized advice from us on the best way for you to get accustomed to your new hearing aid.
These tips will help you have a more enjoyable and enriched life with your new hearing aids.
