4 Tips For New Hearing Aid Users

A new hearing aid may seem like a mixed blessing at first. You will finally be able to hear more clearly, perhaps clearly enough to hear certain sounds for the first time. While some of these sounds may be pleasant, others can be especially irritating if you aren't used to hearing them through a hearing aid. The following tips can help you adjust to your new listening device with as little discomfort as possible.

Tip #1: Start Slow

There are two main reasons for starting slowly – outer comfort and hearing comfort. Outer comfort means getting adjusted to how the hearing aids feel in or on your ear, while inner comfort is the adjustment to your new hearing ability. By only wearing the device for a few hours each day for the first few days, you allow your ear to adjust to the feel of the device and yourself to adjust to all the new sounds.

Tip #2: Train in Private

Train your ears to the new device in a quiet area, such as your home. Wearing hearing aids outside or to a loud environment right away will have a negative impact on your inner comfort. Wear them while reading, quietly watching TV, or during a calm meal with the family so you can get adjusted to the background noises in a relatively serene environment. Then, after a few days, try wearing the device for a few hours in a louder environment, such as at the store or at work.

Tip #3: Use a Light Touch

Most modern hearing aids adjust automatically, so you should only rarely need to fiddle with the volume settings. Although it is okay to adjust the volume down to avoid exposure to certain loud sounds or if you are experiencing feedback, avoid turning the volume up to hear faint noises. Your hearing aid will not make your ears more powerful than normally functioning ears, but cranking the volume can damage your remaining hearing if you aren't careful.

Tip #4: Know Your Limitations

Even with a listening device, your hearing may not be perfect. For example, many hearing aid users still have difficulty hearing in groups because they can't separate out the different voices of several speaking at once. If you have this issue, learn to focus on the speaker you want to hear and be ready to voice any difficulties you are having. If you are concerned about a limitation you encounter, write it down so you don't forget. Then, meet with your audiologist to discuss the difficulty. They may be able to adjust your hearing aid or give you strategies to work around the issue. 

For more information, consider contacting companies like Suburban Hearing Services.


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