As soon as you put on a pair of hearing aids, the difference that they can make to your hearing is instantly noticeable. However, the positive impact they can have on your quality of life might take a little while to become truly apparent. Getting used to life with hearing aids can require an adjustment period, and the tips below can help you speed up the process, ensuring that you’re getting the best out of them.
Wear Them For Shorter Periods, At First
When you have hearing loss, you might not realize how much your range of hearing has shrunk. Putting on hearing aids, you can feel like you’re suddenly a lot more sensitive to noise, which can make them overwhelming. As such, it’s always recommended that you start wearing them for a short period of time, at first, gradually increasing how long you wear them for until you’re able to wear them all day without issue.
Use Them In Quieter Environments, First
You should get used to how your hearing aids work in quieter environments, at first, such as your own private space. Start to gradually introduce yourself to environments that are louder, such as with smaller gatherings at first, then more quiet public areas like parks, eventually working up to noisier places like restaurants.
Take Care Of Your Hearing Aids
The effectiveness of your hearing aids is largely going to be affected by how well you take care of them. Dirt, earwax, and debris can build up, affecting their function. Be sure to take steps towards keeping hearing aids safe while cleaning, holding them over soft landings, such as your bed or a cushioned mat. Clean them every single day to make sure they work as they’re supposed to, and to avoid risks like moisture building up and causing malfunctions.
Learn How To Adjust Their Settings
Most modern hearing aids have a range of features that allow you to customize and program them to suit your needs. This is usually done through buttons on the device itself or by connecting it to a smartphone app. You can use these to tweak the volume and create sound profiles that can better help you adapt to different environments. Some smart devices can even adjust automatically based on surrounding sound levels.
Help Others Communicate With You
Getting used to communicating with others with a hearing aid can take time. Your hearing may be improved, but acclimating to it can result in misunderstandings and frustration. Be sure to explain to your friends and loved ones that you might still occasionally require some assistance i communicating, such as asking them to speak more clearly and to face you while they’re speaking. You can start to build up your ability to communicate more effectively this way.
Everyone’s hearing health journey moves on its own timetable. Try not to get frustrated if it’s taking you a little longer to acclimate, but do get in touch with your hearing health professional for specific advice to help you make the transition easier.
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