If you’re a first-time hearing aid user, the experience can be slightly confusing and overwhelming, especially if your loss of hearing has progressed over several years. Understandably, there will be all sorts of sounds that you’ve likely not heard in a long time, so it’s important to give your brain the time it needs to readjust to interpret those sounds correctly. With that in mind, here are 5 great tips for first time hearing aid users.
Give Yourself Time
First and foremost, it’s important that you give yourself time to get used to your hearing aid. Unlike getting a new pair of glasses where you will immediately begin to see sharper images, hearing aids will take some time to get used to. Instead of feeling disappointed from the get-go, you will begin to notice improvements with your hearing as time goes by. While wearing a hearing aid may feel a little strange on your ears at first, you’ll soon get used to them and not even realize they’re there.
Start Small
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, so when you are given your hearing aids, you should start by wearing them for a couple of hours at a time. If it gets to a stage where you feel overwhelmed or exhausted, you can always remove them, but try and keep them in for as long as possible. Setting yourself goals and wearing them a bit longer each day will help enormously.
Read Aloud
Before you got your hearing aids, your family and friends may have told you from time to time to stop shouting. If you are hard of hearing, it’s only natural that you begin to talk louder. But, once you start wearing hearing aids, you will begin to regulate your own volume properly. The best way to get used to your hearing aids is by reading to yourself with them on. Not only will it help you establish the right level of volume for speech, you will begin to get better at recognizing speech and sounds of words.
Ask Family and Friends for Help
Your nearest and dearest can be a huge help throughout the hearing aid adjustment process. Having a strong support network around you can make you feel more relaxed and in control, as well as giving you the opportunity to practice your speaking in a comfortable environment. You should start by practicing with those you know and love, because their voices will be familiar to you.
Keep a Hearing Journal
If you hear any noises that irritate you, why not keep a hearing journal? Keeping a note of sounds that bother will remind you when you next go and see your hearing aid specialist. Also, if you are struggling to hear conversations in busy areas such as a restaurant, you need to consult with a specialist.
As a new hearing aid user, it’s only normal to feel a little anxious. While sounds may seem a little alarming at first, your brain will soon readjust, helping you to identify and interpret noises. Instead of going through the readjustment process alone, having your friends and family around and being patient will be a huge help. If you haven’t made your decision on which one to buy yet, have a look at the best hearing aids of 2019.