Trouble Getting Used to Your New Hearing Aid? Try Breaking it in!

It’s not uncommon for new hearing-aid users to avoid wearing their devices. They may bring them to special events in their purses or keep them handy when guests are over, but they do not want to use them for everyday tasks. Some people simply find them too loud or too distracting, while others are afraid that they will become dependent on them, hindering their independence.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aid

Switching from struggling to hear others to hearing all noises with perfect clarity can be overwhelming, even exhausting, for new hearing aid wearers. Your hearing care professionalmay suggest wearing your new device for just an hour at a time, gradually increasing the length of time you are able to wear it. During the periods where you are using your device, practice wearing the hearing aid in different situations, such as:

1. At home. Start by using the device in your own home, and walk through the different rooms, taking note of the different sounds you hear. Can you hear your cat purring, or the clock ticking on the wall? Turn on the radio or television and see how far away you can get before the volume recedes.
2. Outside. Walk around in your garden or patio. Can you hear your neighbors chatting in the yard, or their kids playing in the backyard? If you hear a dog bark, is it too far away for you to see? Patients may be uncomfortable if their hearing aid is amplifying sounds outside of their visual range.
3. In conversations. You can begin practicing having conversations with one other person. Have a relative sit across from you and practice talking and responding, taking note of any speech sounds that are unnatural to you. Eventually, you should look away from her as she speaks, and work up to performing other activities with your back turned while maintaining the conversation.
4. In group settings. When trying your hearing aid in a noisy environment, remember to take it slowly. Begin by facing the person you are talking to and trying to keep your back to the noise. If you are speaking to multiple people, try to maintain eye contact with the one you are addressing, and take note of how well your hearing aid’s speech discrimination technology performs.
5. With other devices. You should also try using your hearing aid while talking on the telephone, and try using the wireless features to connect to your smartphone or TV. Your device may also have special features that allow you to hear better in public presentations, such as pairing with a telecoil system in movie theaters and churches.

If you have been struggling with your new device, we can help you figure out why. Call us at 866-517-4415 or stop by one of our Florida locations today to meet with one of our hearing care specialists.