Hearing aids do not work like glasses, restoring your sight to what it once was. The devices amplify sounds to a frequency you can hear with your level of loss. Because of this, things may sound different or weird at first. The audiologists at Hearing Advancement Center have put together a list of tips to help you get used to your new devices.
Wear Your Hearing Aids at Home
Start by wearing your hearing aids at home or in a quiet environment for a few hours a day. This will help you slowly get used to hearing sounds you may not have heard for some time. Your brain is also getting used to processing these sounds and distinguishing speech from background noise.
Reading aloud or talking to your pets can help you begin to get used to the sound of your voice. Try determining where sounds around your house are coming from, such as the hum of the refrigerator or the whir from the ceiling fan.
Utilize Friends & Family
Make sure to let those around you know you are new to wearing hearing aids. They can help by having one-on-one conversations and keeping you accountable when you should be wearing your hearing aids.
Give Yourself Breaks
Getting used to hearing aids is a process. You will begin by wearing your hearing aids in simple listening situations for a few hours a day. Slowly you will wear your devices for longer periods of time and in more complicated environments.
If at any point you begin to experience listening fatigue, don’t be afraid of taking a break.
Attend Your Follow-Up Visits
Before leaving with your new hearing aid, you were scheduled for a follow-up visit. This visit is important. You and your audiologist will discuss any complex listening situations you’ve found yourself in, questions that may have come up about the device and any pain or discomfort you are experiencing. While a bit of tenderness is normal, your hearing aids should not be hurting your ears.
Your hearing aids will then be fine-tuned and adjusted to ensure you are getting the most from them.
This process is a marathon, not a sprint. The hearing experts at Hearing Advancement Center will be there with you every step of the way.Contact us today to get started.
