You may be surprised to find out that putting in a pair of hearing aids isn’t the same as putting on a pair of glasses; you don’t get the full benefit immediately. Instead, your brain needs time to reacclimate to all the noises around you and filtering which ones are important and which ones aren’t. Fortunately, there are strategies to make this process easier.
Start with Wearing Your Devices at Home
When you first get your hearing aids, your audiologist will instruct you to wear them only at home at first. This is because your brain will have an easier time adjusting in quieter settings.
While at home, you can get used to the sound of hearing your own voice – which may sound strange or unfamiliar – by reading aloud or talking to your partner or a pet. You can also practice localizing sounds, which means identifying where they’re coming from.
Start Venturing Out
Once you’re used to wearing your devices at home, you can start venturing out with them. We recommend starting with a quieter setting like Chaucer’s Books.
Take Breaks as Needed
The goal is for you to eventually wear your hearing aids during all waking hours, but it can take some time to work up to this. If you want to wear your devices all day long but find yourself fatigued or overstimulated, it’s ok to take breaks and remove your hearing aids for a little while.
Attend Follow-Up Appointments
You may find that there are some settings where the programming on your hearing aid isn’t quite matching your needs, uncover that some sounds are uncomfortably loud or realize you still need to strain to hear. This is all normal. Be sure to attend follow-up visits with your audiologist and communicate your needs. They can adjust the programming as needed.
Be Patient
We understand that the rehabilitation process can be frustrating if it’s not going as smoothly as you imagined it would. Remember to be patient with yourself and commit to the process. Being able to hear well is worth it.
Communicate with Loved Ones
Everyone needs support from their loved ones. Be sure to communicate your needs with those around you, from requesting they turn down the TV volume if it’s uncomfortable to ask them to attend your appointments with you so you don’t feel alone. Remember you have people who care about you and your success with hearing aids. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Hearing Services of Santa Barbara today.
