Acclimatising to hearing aids: What to Expect

If you've recently been fitted with hearing aids, you might be wondering how to adjust to this new experience. After all, hearing aids can significantly improve your hearing and quality of life, but it can also take some time to get used to them. Here are some tips to help you acclimatise to your new hearing aids and make the most of their benefits:

Start Slowly

When you first wear your hearing aids, it's important to start slowly and ease into using them. You might feel overwhelmed by the new sounds and sensations that you haven't heard in a long time. To avoid feeling overstimulated, begin by wearing your hearing aids for short periods in quiet environments. Gradually increase the amount of time you wear them and the complexity of the sounds you expose yourself to.

Practice Listening

Hearing aids can help you hear more clearly, but they won't restore your hearing to its previous state. Instead, you'll need to relearn how to listen and interpret sounds in your environment. Practice listening by paying attention to speech and environmental sounds, such as birds chirping or water running. This can help your brain adjust to the new input it's receiving through your hearing aids.

Keep a Journal

It can be helpful to keep a journal of your experiences as you acclimatise to your hearing aids. Record how long you wear them each day, what sounds you notice, and any discomfort or difficulties you experience. This can help you track your progress over time and make adjustments as needed. You can even do this via a dedicated app that connects to your hearing aids to give this direct feedback to your audiologist.

Communicate with Your Audiologist

Your audiologist is there to help you every step of the way as you adjust to your new hearing aids. Don't hesitate to ask questions, express concerns, or seek advice on how to use and care for your hearing aids. Your audiologist can also make adjustments to your hearing aids based on your feedback and help you optimise their settings.

Be Patient

Acclimatising to hearing aids is a gradual process that can take several weeks or even months. Don't get discouraged if you don't notice immediate improvement in your hearing or find the adjustment period challenging. With time and practice, you'll likely experience the full benefits of your hearing aids and be able to communicate more easily with the world around you.

In conclusion, acclimatising to hearing aids is an important process that requires patience, practice, and support from your audiologist. By following these tips, you can make the most of your hearing aids and enjoy the benefits of improved hearing and communication.