People typically don’t like change. Looked at through that prism, hearing aids can represent a double-edged sword: your life will undergo a huge change but they also will allow exciting new opportunities. If your a person who likes a very rigid routine, the change can be hard. New hearing aids can create a few particular challenges. But knowing how to adapt to these devices can help guarantee your new hearing aids will be a change you will enjoy.
Tips to Help You Adapt More Quickly to Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing will be considerably improved whether you are getting your first hearing aids or upgrading to a more powerful design. Depending on your individual situation, that may represent quite an adjustment. But your transition may be a little bit smoother if you follow these tips.
When You First Get Your Hearing Aids Only Wear Them Intermittently
As a general rule, the more you use your hearing aids, the healthier your ears will stay. But it can be a little uncomfortable when you’re getting used to them if you wear them for 18 hours a day. You could begin by trying to use your hearing aids for 8 hours intervals, and then slowly build up your stamina.
Practice Tuning in to Conversations
When you first start using your hearing aids, your brain will most likely need a little bit of time to get accustomed to the concept that it’s able to hear sounds again. You might have a hard time hearing speech clearly or following conversations during this adjustment time. But if you want to reset the hearing-language-and-interpreting region of your brain, you can try practicing techniques like following along with an audiobook.
Get a Fitting For Your Hearing Aids
Even before you get your final hearing aid, one of the first things you will do – is go through a fitting process. The fitting process assists in adjusting the device to your individual loss of hearing, differences in the shape of your ear canal, and help improve comfort. Several adjustments may be required. It’s crucial to consult us for follow-up appointments and to take these fittings seriously. When your hearing aids fit properly, your hearing aids will sit more comfortably and sound more natural. We can also assist you in making adjustments to various hearing conditions.
Troubleshoot
Sometimes adjusting to a new hearing aid is somewhat difficult because something’s not functioning properly. If there’s too much feedback that can be painful. It can also be infuriating when the hearing aid keeps cutting out. These types of problems can make it hard to adapt to your hearing aids, so it’s best to find solutions as soon as possible. Try these tips:
- Charge your hearing aids every evening or replace the batteries. When the batteries on your hearing aids begin to wane, they often don’t work as effectively as they’re meant to.
- If you hear a lot of feedback, make sure that your hearing aids are correctly seated in your ears (it might be that your fit is just a little off) and that there aren’t any obstructions (such as excess earwax).
- Discuss any buzzing or ringing with your hearing professional. At times, your cell phone can cause interference with your hearing aid. In other instances, it could be that we have to make some adjustments.
- Ask your hearing professional to be sure that the hearing aids are correctly calibrated to your loss of hearing.
The Benefits of Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
Just as it would with new glasses, it might take you a small amount of time to get used to your new hearing aids. Hopefully, with the help of these tips, that adjustment period will go a little bit more smoothly (and quickly). But if you stay with it – if you put yourself into a regimen with your hearing aids and really invest in adjusting to them – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how it all becomes easy. And once that occurs, you’ll be able to devote your attention to the things you’re actually hearing: like the daily conversation you’ve been missing out on or your favorite tunes. In the end, all these adjustments are well worth it. And change is good.