Change can be difficult. We as human beings find order in our routines, so when things suddenly become different, there can be an adjustment period. This is the case with new hearing aids.
If you’ve undergone hearing testing, you may have been fitted with some digital hearing aids. These devices can make it easier for you to hear the voices of other people when they’re talking to you.
Unfortunately, not all hearing aids are the same, which means that, when you get new ones, you’ll have to learn how to get used to them. This article will share some tips on how to do that.
Try them at home
It will likely take some time for you to adjust to your new digital hearing aids. Because of this, you should try using your new hearing aids at home before you take them out in public. At home, you can explain to your family that you have new hearing aids and that you’re working out the kinks so you can get used to them. Start with one-on-one conversations, and try reading aloud to yourself so you can get used to how your voice sounds.
Implement them gradually
Once you’ve had some hearing testing done, you’ll know how much of your hearing has been lost. The loss of your hearing happened slowly over time, so it’s better if you regain your hearing in a similar fashion. Try wearing your new hearing aids for a few hours each day, and increase the amount of time you wear them incrementally until you’re eventually wearing them all the time.
Don’t get discouraged if it’s initially tough to adapt to your new hearing aids.
Take notes
Part of being a good patient is being able to concisely articulate any problems you may be having with your hearing aids. It’s easy to think of something and then forget, so keep a pen and pad of paper nearby when you are testing out your new hearing aids at home. You should write down all the sounds that you can hear and note whether they’re bothering you or not.
Over time, as your brain gets used to hearing certain sounds, they may not annoy you anymore. Nonetheless, having a detailed record of how your new hearing aids are working can only help you and the doctor to better tailor your individual hearing plan to you.
Try to avoid fiddling with the volume
Many newer digital hearing aids can adjust their volume automatically depending on the situation. When in doubt, you should let the machine do its job and refrain from turning up the volume if you want to hear better—doing so isn’t good for the machine and can harm your hearing further.
Ask for help if you need it
Your close friends and family can help you through this process. You can practice talking to people in groups with your loved ones and have them help you set the television to a more ordinary volume because you likely don’t need to have it turned up so high anymore.
Call for your hearing aids today
If hearing testing has revealed that you need digital hearing aids, call us at McGuire’s Hearing Centers. We’ve been among the most trusted hearing professionals for over 50 years, so call for your hearing aids today.