Try These Activities To Get Used to Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are a wonderful investment in overall health and well-being. However, if you are a new user, it’s important to know that it can take your ears and your brain a little time to get used to a new way of hearing.

A focus group of hearing aid users in 2014 concluded that “getting used to hearing aids is a challenging process with both psychosocial and practical difficulties besides demands of adjusting to hearing-aid input.”

Take it Slow With New Hearing Aids

Because there’s bound to be an adjustment phase, it’s normal to take some time to get used to your hearing aids. Don’t expect to feel completely comfortable in just a day or two or rush out to a loud or busy environment.

In the beginning, you may only be able to wear your hearing aids for a few hours a day at home when it’s quiet. If you need to, you can gradually build up the amount of time you wear your device over a few weeks until you are using them consistently throughout the day.

Use Subtitles When Watching TV

While your hearing loss was still untreated, you probably had to turn the volume up on the TV louder than you used to, possibly to the frustration of any family members that live with you. After getting your hearing aids, make sure to set your volume to a reasonable hearing level and try to use that consistently. Using subtitles while you watch can help your brain reconnect sounds to language and adjust to listening with hearing aids.

Find a Quiet Place for Conversations

One of the biggest benefits of hearing aids is that it improves your ability to have conversations with your loved ones. In the beginning, plan to get together with a couple of friends or family members in a quiet environment. Whether it’s having a few friends over for tea in the backyard or meeting up at Dialogue Coffee House or another quiet café, pick a place where you won’t feel overwhelmed by background noise.

Contact Your Audiologist If You’re Having Issues With Your Hearing Aids

While an adjustment phase is completely normal, if you are having serious problems with your hearing aids, you should contact your audiologist. Give them a call if you are experiencing:

1. A lot of discomfort or pain while wearing your hearing aids

2. Frequent whistling noises

3. Poor sound quality

4. Other bothersome issues that are preventing you from wearing your hearing aids

If you have additional questions about your hearing aids or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing experts, call Topeka Ear Nose & Throat today.