You finally got your new hearing aids. You’re finally going to be able to get back into the groove of your social life again. Now, you won’t be missing parts of conversations or going through uncomfortable transitions. But there’s a problem: everything sounds just a little off.
That’s because it’ll probably take you a while to adjust to a new pair of hearing aids. This can be a frustrating transition. After all, there was so much you were excited to do, and that adjustment period just feels so long.
But there are a few tips you can use to minimize this transition period. Before long, with a bit of practice, you will be focusing on what you’re hearing instead of your hearing aids.
Start slowly with these tips
Regardless of how technologically sophisticated they might be, it’s going to take your brain some time to adjust to hearing certain sounds again. Use these tips to proceed slowly and purposely give your ears time to adjust.:
- Start with one-on-one conversations first: If you wear your hearing aids while eating at a crowded restaurant on your first day you get them, you could be disappointed, not because the hearing aids are doing anything wrong. It’s just that it’s difficult for your ear and brain to manage focusing on all those different voices. By starting out with one-on-one conversations you will make the transition smoother and also get a little extra practice.
- Wear your hearing aids only around the house at first: You’ll be less likely to encounter noise pollution at home and you will be able to have a better amount of control over the sounds you’re hearing. This will help you concentrate on individual voices.
- Only wear your hearing aids for short amounts of time at first: When you’re just beginning, you can practice by using your hearing aids for only a few hours at a time. They might feel a little funny at first (this is normal), so it’s okay to start slowly. As your hearing aids become more comfortable, you can wear them for longer periods of time.
Tips that help you get extra practice in
There are some things you can do, as with any skill, that can help you with hearing aid practice. You might even have some fun!
- Simply practice hearing: That’s right: Sit somewhere a little quiet and take in the sounds around you. You can practice by focusing on trying to hear the fridge running or the cat meowing in another room or the birds chirping outside.
- Turn on closed-captions when you watch TV: It’s easy: Turn the TV on, put your hearing aids in, and enjoy. Your brain will start to remember what certain words sound like when you read along with the voices you’re hearing. This can give you some practice hearing and adjusting to speech.
- Read along with the printed version while you listen to the audiobook.: This comparable exercise can also be very enjoyable. Your brain will learn to make connections between sounds and words by using this read along technique.
Improve your hearing health with these tips
Obviously, one of the purposes of hearing aids is to keep your hearing as healthy as possible. But, as you take some time to get accustomed to your new hearing aids, there are a few things you can do that your ears will thank you for.:
- Keep visiting us: There might be a temptation to think that once you’ve got the right hearing aids, you won’t need to have anymore hearing exams. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can help adjust your hearing aids, keep the fit comfortable, and continue to keep an eye on your hearing. These follow up appointments are really important.
- Be certain to take note of and report any pain: Because it shouldn’t hurt to wear hearing aids. So it’s important to report any problems with fit or any pain right away.
Go slow and maximize your time as you get used to your hearing aids
Your objective here will be to work your way up to using your hearing aids full time. A slow and progressive approach works quite often, but everybody’s different. Learning the best ways to get comfortable with your new hearing aids is something we can help you with.
These tips will help you have a more enjoyable and enriched life with your new hearing aids.
