Top Tips for Adjusting To New Hearing Aids

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Getting used to wearing hearing aids can be a massive adjustment. Losing some of your hearing can be a huge change in your life, and adjusting to reduced hearing and then to higher sound levels via hearing aids can take some getting used to.

However, it’s essential to understand that wearing a hearing device can be massively beneficial to your life. Once the adjustment period is over, you can start to get your life back thanks to the amplification of sound via the tiny technological earpiece designed to make your life easier. You’ll be able to engage more fully in conversations, enjoy music and other sounds, and regain a sense of independence. The journey may be challenging, but the destination is worth it.

But swinging back to the adjustment period, what can you do to help you ease into wearing your new device and make the process much easier?

Talk To Your Audiologist

Your audiologist or hearing aid provider is crucial to your adjustment journey. They can answer any questions, perfect the fitting of the hearing aid, and guide you on how to use and care for your new aids. The more you understand about the process, the care, and the best ways to wear them, the smoother your adjustment will be. For instance, they will check the size and position of the device for a comfortable fit and adjust the volume to match your degree of hearing loss. You can find a complete guide available here on hearing aid fittings for your benefit.

Start Slow

It’s important to start slow when adjusting to your hearing aids. Depending on the level and duration of your hearing loss, it can take some time to get used to the increased sounds. Your hearing aid provider can advise you on how long to wear your hearing aid at first and how to increase the duration gradually. Starting small and allowing yourself time to adapt to the increased sounds can make the adjustment process more manageable.

Wear At Home or In Familiar Places

Once you get used to the devices and how they transmit sound to your ear, you can start to experience all the sounds the world around you has to offer. However, it might be best in the early days to wear them in places where you feel comfortable so you don’t get too overwhelmed. If the sounds of the hustle and bustle in public are too much or traffic sounds like it’s running through your head, then restricting wearing them to quieter places means you can feel more relaxed and it can enable you to get used to the different sounds in your own time so you can build up to noise environments to reduce overwhelm and frustration leading to you not wanting to wear your new hearing aids at all.

Be Patient

Like with many new things, adjusting to new situations can take time, and hearing aids are no different. Don’t expect to get on great with them in the first few days or even weeks. It is a gradual process that needs to be built upon until you feel comfortable wearing them for a range of different scenarios and for longer periods. So take a breath, slow it down, and be patient. Remember, it’s a journey, not a race.