Hearing aids are great devices to help you deal with hearing loss and improve your everyday experience. However, getting used to these devices may take a while, especially if you have never worn them before. They can often be difficult to adjust to since they may feel uncomfortable, the sensation you get from hearing might be unpleasant, and you may even experience aching or pain. Here are a few great tips to help you adjust to hearing aids.
1. Increase your wearing time gradually
Adapting to hearing aids is not the same for all people. It takes a different amount of time for desperate individuals to get used to them. Work on a timeline that is comfortable and efficient for you. Begin by putting on your devices a few hours a day around the home, and once you get more comfortable, try wearing them out for a walk in your neck of the woods for a short amount of time. Gradually increase the time you wear them until you become used to going out with hearing aids.
2. Use subtitles or captions for audiobooks and television
Visual signs help your brain process the sounds it’s receiving, so it helps to speak to someone face-to-face instead of from another room or when they are turned away. The same point applies when listening to an audiobook or watching TV. Reading along while you are hearing something helps replace the gaps. Your auditory system is extremely complex, so you are making that connection between what you see and what you hear when you read along and hear it at the same time.
3. Schedule follow-up visits with your audiologist
You will need to visit your hearing care professional as often as possible to fine-tune the sounds you are hearing, adjust the hearing aids and talk about the most challenging conditions for you. Most patients visit their doctor or audiologist around two weeks after their first fitting to have their hearing aids fine-tuned and perhaps adjust the volume.
4. Practice communicating with people in groups
Begin conversing with your family and close friends since familiar voices are the easiest to identify. Hearing still needs active listening, so ensure you face the speaker and maintain eye contact while they are talking. This will help your brain reconnect the dots between vocal patterns, sounds, and nonverbal body language.
5. Choose the right hearing aids
Hearing aids come in different types, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Picking the right hearing aid depends on several factors, so consult your audiologist about them when you go for your fitting. Some of the critical factors to consider when selecting hearing aids include the following:
- Type and extent of your hearing loss
- Your lifestyle options
- Forms of outdoor activities you engage in
- Ease of wear and use
- Physical features of your ear
Picking the right hearing aid can make all the difference, so be sure to ask as many questions as possible when you attend your fitting.
Endnote
Adjusting to hearing aids takes time and effort. While you might be a lucky person who is comfortable right from the beginning, the truth is most individuals require some adjustments for fit and programming before settling into a clear hearing. However, open communication with your audiologist is the fastest way to better hearing and a positive hearing aid experience.
