You’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. You got your new hearing aids. You’re finally going to be able to get back into the groove of your social life again. No more missed transitions or confused conversations. But your hearing aids just don’t seem quite right.
That’s because it’ll probably take you some time to adjust to a new set of hearing aids. Sometimes, this transition can be annoying. After all, there was so much you were looking forward to, and that adjustment period just feels so long.
But there are a few tips you can practice to reduce this transition period. Before long, with a little practice, you will be focusing on what you’re hearing instead of your hearing aids.
Start slowly with these tips
Your brain will take a little time to get used to hearing certain sounds again no matter how sophisticated your hearing aids are. Use these tips to start slowly and purposely give your ears time to adapt.:
- First, try to pay attention to one-on-one conversations: If you wear your hearing aids while eating at a crowded restaurant on your first day using the devices, 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 cope with focusing on all those different voices. By starting out with one-on-one conversations you will make the transition smoother and also get a bit of extra practice.
- Use your hearing aids for a short period of time: A few hours at a time is the most you should use your hearing aids when you first start out. Your hearing aids will most likely feel a little strange in your ears for a while so starting gradually is okay. As your hearing aids become more comfortable, you can use them for longer periods of time.
- Wear your hearing aids only around the house at first: You’ll be less likely to experience 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 focus on individual voices.
Tips that help you get extra practice in
There are some activities, as with any skill, that can help you practice hearing. You could even have some fun!
- Watch TV with the closed-captions on: It’s easy: put in your hearing aids, turn on the TV, and watch your favorite show. As you read the dialog you’ll also be hearing the actors speak, and your brain will begin to remember what all these words sound like. This sort of practice will help you adjust to understanding speech again.
- Read along with the printed version while you listen to the audiobook.: This comparable exercise can also be quite enjoyable. Your brain will learn to make associations between words and sounds by employing this read along strategy.
- Do some listening exercise: That’s right: sit in a quiet space and let your ears do the hearing. You can practice by focusing on trying to hear the fridge running or the cat meowing in another room or the birds chirping outside.
Improve your hearing health with these tips
Of course, one of the purposes of hearing aids is to keep your hearing as healthy as possible. And there are some tips you can do to keep your ears happy as you get accustomed to wearing your new hearing aid:
- Keep visiting us: There might be a temptation to believe that once you have the right hearing aids, you won’t need to see us anymore. 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. It’s essential to continue with these follow up appointments.
- Be certain to note and report any pain: Because it shouldn’t hurt to wear hearing aids. So if you’re noticing any pain or something’s not fitting right, it’s important to report it as soon as you can.
Take your time, and build up to full-time hearing aids
Your objective here will be to work your way up to using your hearing aids full time. A slow and progressive strategy works quite often, but everyone’s different. Learning the best ways to get comfortable with your new hearing aids is something we can assist you with.
These tips will help you have a more enjoyable and enriched life with your new hearing aids.