For people new to hearing aids, their first time wearing them may come as a pleasant surprise! Many people wait several years before getting hearing aids, even after beginning to notice the signs of hearing loss, and as a result, the experience of restored hearing will take some getting used to. Below is some good advice for first-time users of hearing aids (as well as hearing aid users with a new pair).
Take your time to get the fit right
Experts say it can take up to four months to get used to your hearing aids and to really get the most out of them. Hearing aids often need to be adjusted several times during a trial period, so it is important to be patient. If you have questions or concerns about the fit of your devices, we at Absolute Audio are only a phone call away. If you experience distortion with sounds or discomfort, it is important to come back for readjustments. The goal of hearing aids is to fit seamlessly into your life and to improve your specific hearing experience. Our team will focus the hearing aids to be more in tune with your specific hearing loss, making them work better. The key is to stay in regular communication with our team, as more you share your experience using hearing aids in these first few weeks, the better they can help you.
You’ll be able to hear too well
Remember that with untreated hearing loss, you had limited access to certain sounds and frequencies. With the use of hearing aids, you regain access again and you’ll notice sounds you haven’t heard in a while – sounds like the rustling of leaves, the wind, and the hum of machinery. At first, these sounds can be distracting. It can be tough to adjust to these sounds again, but rest assured that over time, the ear and brain will become more used to these sounds again and they’ll become a part of the rich soundscape of your life.
It’s not like putting on a pair of glasses
You cannot expect the experience of putting on a pair of hearing aids to be anything like putting on a pair of spectacles. When you use glasses for the first time, you see the difference right away, but with hearing aids you have to get used to hearing differently. It takes time to adapt to them. Wear them as much as possible at first to get better at recognizing where the sound is coming from and to learn which hearing aid settings work best for you in different situations.
Realign your expectations
Don’t feel disheartened if your hearing aids are not performing as you expected. Your ears and brain will take time to get used to them. Talk to those who have already worn hearing aids for a while to hear about their experiences. Remember that it will take between six weeks to six months before your hearing will feel completely natural. Success comes from practice and commitment.
Practice makes perfect
To set yourself up for success, try these steps when using a hearing aid for the first time:
- Start by using your hearing aids in a quiet setting like your home. Use this time to get used to individual sounds without being distracted by city noise or people around you.
- It’s a good idea to start with a schedule in which you wear your hearing aids for only part of the day and then gradually work up to wearing them for the whole day, from when you wake up to the time you go to bed.
- Many hearing professionals recommend listening to audiobooks and podcasts as a way to practice your listening and understanding with the device.
- When you are more confident using your hearing aid, it’s time to test your new devices with family or friends. Ideally, the first few conversations you have wearing your hearing aids should take place in a similarly relaxed environment. We recommend that you talk to just one or two close family or friends in a place where you can control the noise levels. A cup of coffee at home with a few friends might be a good place to start.
Once you have enough practice with the hearing aid in a multitude of environments, your hearing will become more effortless and natural, leaving you to reap the benefits and enjoy the many difference experiences of your life.
Visit Us at Absolute Audio
Have you been experiencing changes in your hearing? Is it difficult to follow conversations or make out sounds against background noise? It could be hearing loss. At Absolute Audio, we provide comprehensive hearing health services and hearing aid fittings. Contact us for a consultation and hearing test today!