Getting hearing aids for the first time can be a big adjustment. Even if you’ve wanted them for a long time to help you hear better, it takes time to get used to having something in your ears and the new sounds you’ll be able to hear. Be patient with yourself as you get used to your new hearing aids and follow these tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Get Used to How the Hearing Aids Feel in Your Ears
At first, you’ll be very aware of having something in your ears. Hearing aids may feel uncomfortable or tight at first. You may also hear rubbing or squeaking sounds from the hearing aids moving around in your ears. It can take a few weeks for your ears to adjust to the feeling of wearing hearing aids all day, every day. Here are some tips for getting used to the feeling:
- Start by wearing your hearing aids for just a few hours at a time, then build up to wearing them all day.
- Make sure the hearing aids are inserted correctly in your ears by your audiologist. Improperly fitted hearing aids can cause discomfort.
- Ask your audiologist about getting different size earbud tips if the current ones are uncomfortable. You may need a bigger or smaller size.
- Give your ears a break by taking the hearing aids out for short periods.
- As the hearing aids start to feel more comfortable, increase how long you wear them each day.
It may take a few weeks, but your ears should adjust to having the hearing aids in them. The fit will start to feel natural.
Take Time to Get Used to New Sounds
One of the biggest adjustments with new hearing aids and solutions similar to them is getting used to the new sounds you’ll be able to hear. At first, even normal environmental sounds like the refrigerator humming, birds chirping, or chairs squeaking across the floor can be jarring. It takes time for your brain to learn how to interpret the new audio input from the hearing aids. Here are some things that can help:
- Wear the hearing aids in quiet settings first before venturing into noisy environments. Gradually work your way up to noisier situations.
- Ask family and friends to speak a bit slower and more clearly to help your brain adjust.
- Let others know you just got hearing aids and are learning how to adjust to new sounds.
- Remind yourself that it will get easier with time as your brain learns how to interpret the new sounds coming through the hearing aids. Be patient with yourself.
- Take breaks from wearing the hearing aids if noises start to feel overwhelming or overstimulating. Put them back in after a break once you feel ready.
- Ask your audiologist to adjust the hearing aids if certain sounds seem too loud or bothersome. They can fine-tune the settings as you get used to the aids.
Practice Communicating with Others
Having hearing loss can make communication difficult. With your new hearing aids, practice interacting with people to get used to improved communication. Here are some tips:
- Let family and friends know you may need more patience and understanding as you adjust to the hearing aids. Ask them to face you when they speak, speak slowly and clearly, and rephrase if you can’t understand.
- When talking one-on-one, choose quiet environments to better focus on the conversation. Background noise can still be challenging.
- If communicating in a group, position yourself so you can readily see everyone’s faces and pick up visual cues to help understand the conversation along with improved audio from your hearing aids.
- If you still struggle to understand people, politely ask them to rephrase what they said. Let them know you just got hearing aids so are still getting used to them.
As you get used to the hearing aids, you’ll learn how to position yourself optimally to communicate with people in different settings.
Practicing communication skills with family, friends, and colleagues will help you adjust to improved hearing from the hearing aids. It takes time to recalibrate conversational skills, so be patient. Let people know what would help you best hear and understand them.
Utilize Resources Like Hearing Assistive Technology
In addition to hearing aids, utilizing assistive technology can further help improve communication. Options like TV listening devices, phone amplifiers, hearing aid compatible phones, and speech-to-text apps can enhance audio signals and make understanding conversations easier. Your audiologist can recommend useful assistive devices to pair with your new hearing aids.
Some helpful types of technology include:
- TV listening systems – These transmit television audio directly to your hearing aid via wireless connection. You can increase the volume and hear every word clearly.
- Phone amplifiers – Amplifiers plug into your phone so you can adjust the volume and clarity of conversations. Some work with cell phones and landlines.
- Speech-to-text apps – Apps like Otter transcribe audio conversations into text that you can read in real-time. This helps follow along in meetings or group discussions.
- Devices with hearing aid compatibility – Phones, music players and other devices that have hearing aid compatible features help hearing aids work optimally for clear sound transmission.
Take advantage of all the technology available today to enhance your hearing. Combining hearing aids with assistive devices provides maximum hearing help. Your audiologist can recommend the best options tailored for your needs and lifestyle.
Be Patient – Adjustment Takes Time
The key thing to remember when getting hearing aids is to be patient with yourself. Your brain needs time to adjust to amplified sound input and learn how to process it. Getting comfortable with wearing the hearing aids daily, navigating new sounds, communicating clearly, and utilizing assistive technology will take practice.
Adjustment is a process that will likely take weeks or months. Over time, with consistent hearing aid use, sounds will become less jarring, conversations will get easier, and you’ll start to notice improvements in your daily life. Don’t get frustrated. With patience and practice, you will adapt to your new hearing aids. The benefits are worth the initial adjustment period.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or have concerns about your hearing aids, don’t hesitate to contact your audiologist for assistance and advice. They want to help you successfully transition to improved hearing. With their guidance and support, these tips will help you adjust to your hearing aids for the first time. Better hearing is within reach.
