01/11/2023
Getting Used To Your Life With Hearing Aids
Good hearing helps make life more enjoyable – listening to music, being involved in conversations, appreciating the sounds of nature. When you have difficulty hearing the sounds and conversations around you, social interactions and gatherings can be exhausting and overwhelming. The good news is hearing aid users report an increase in overall quality of life, engaging in meaningful conversations for the first time in a long while.
However, not all significant change happens overnight. It can take a little while to get used to wearing hearing aids, and you may experience some sensory overload. Some people think, “Does the world really sound like this?” It does! Soon you’ll appreciate all the sounds that everything and everyone around you has to offer, but it may feel a bit overwhelming at first.
Here are three tips that can help you ease into your new life with hearing aids.
1. Use them consistently.
It’s important you wear your hearing aids for most of the day. The true benefits of hearing aids are only achieved through frequent use, even if they feel slightly uncomfortable at first. As you first begin your hearing aid routine, you may sometimes forget to put them in altogether. Don’t worry; this happens to many first-time users. If this is the case for you, consider leaving yourself a note on your nightstand or mirror, or set a reminder on your phone until it becomes second nature.
Wear your hearing aids around the house, even when you’re alone, and in everyday situations. You might notice sounds in your home you haven’t heard in a while – dripping faucets, creaking stairs, the clanking of silverware. These may surprise you at first, but will quickly become a natural part of your life.
Just live your life as you always do and you’ll quickly adjust to all the new sounds and experiences.
2. Enjoy new conversations!
Talking with other people, both in face-to-face conversations and on the phone, is a rewarding experience for most new hearing aid users. Suddenly, speech sounds clear and focused. You’ll find yourself following and participating in conversations on a different level compared with what you were used to doing in the past.
If your hearing loss is severe, perhaps you have been avoiding talking on the phone. Your new hearing aids can open up an entirely new world of social and professional contacts with improved phone communication.
Many people with hearing loss may have been avoiding social gatherings and interactions. Now’s the time to get back out there and try again. You may be amazed at what you’ve been missing!
3. Write down your experiences.
Journaling during your first few weeks with new hearing aids can help you gather your thoughts and impressions. Note the sounds that are new to you. What unfamiliar sounds have you noticed? Are there any particular sounds or situations you find unpleasant? What physical sensations do you feel when wearing your hearing aids – do they feel comfortable or uncomfortable?
These notes also serve as a valuable tool for when you visit us. When we know exactly how you’re adjusting to your new hearing aids and what’s working (and what’s not working) we can provide you with the best possible service – and make your hearing health journey much easier.
Bonus tip: It’s okay to take them off when you need to.
One more thing! If wearing your hearing aids gets a little too intense or you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to take them off when you need a break from sound. Your brain will eventually adjust to your hearing aids and you won’t always feel overwhelmed. In the meantime, don’t feel any pressure if you feel uncomfortable in certain situations at first. Simply take them off and put them back on when you are ready.
And don’t forget your follow-up appointments. We can answer all your questions and address any issues you might be experiencing.
Call today to schedule an appointment.
352-751-3400
713 Kristine Way The Villages, Fl 32163
