Hearing aids are an excellent tool to improve your hearing, but it doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll need to adjust to the function and feel of your new devices. Here are some tips to help you get comfortable.
Physical Adjustments
Your ears and brain may feel a bit overwhelmed by the physical and auditory differences that come with hearing aids. Your ears may feel uncomfortable with the hardware that comes with your hearing devices, especially if you wear over-the-ear aids.
If the device is in your ear, it will take some time to adjust to that sensation as well. Background noises will seem unusually loud at first because your brain has not registered those audio signals for some time.
Take Small Steps
It’s very important to take your time when working with your new hearing aids.
- Only wear your devices for a few hours at a time.
- Wear hearing aids in quieter environments, like your home, before wearing them in public places.
- Don’t fiddle with the volume on your hearing aids, as they likely self-adjust. Adjusting the volume can also perpetuate hearing damage if it’s too loud.
- Work your way toward wearing your hearing aids all day in increments.
- Keep your audiologists informed about possible adjustments you need to optimize your devices.
Enlist your friends and family to help. Have them set the TV at a “regular” volume so you can practice listening. Working with your loved ones also eases you into group conversations because familiar voices are easier to understand.
Retrain Your Brain
Hearing aids are going to put your brain through a workout. The signals received by your ears and sent to your brain create stimulation that wasn’t there before.
Try these practice techniques to get your brain back in shape:
Active listening: Face someone when you’re speaking with them, especially when you’re in a group. Looking at the speaker helps your brain reconnect sounds to vocal patterns and body language.
Subtitles: Reading subtitles on your TV stimulates your brain to listen and match sounds to words.
Audiobooks or reading aloud: Like subtitles, reading along with an audiobook forces your brain to reacquaint itself with sounds you’ve been missing. Reading aloud is also a good way to get used to your voice.
Audiology & Hearing Aid Solutions has the devices and services you need to adjust to new hearing aids comfortably. Call 888.473.8702 or contact us online to set up an appointment today.
