Most types of hearing loss happen gradually over time and it can be years before someone seeks help from hearing aid providers. When someone then gets hearing aids for the first time, all the sounds and noises they had lost over time come back suddenly and can be jarring. This is perfectly normal and it’s important to give your brain some time to adjust. 

These are the top tips we recommend for new hearing aid users:

1. Start small 

This is a brand new experience that can be overwhelming unless you start small. This means you shouldn’t get your hearing aids and go straight to a concert. Instead start at home and in more quiet environments. Focus on having one-on-one conversations with friends and family and work your way up to the bigger, louder things. 

2. Read out loud

After years of hearing loss, most people tend to talk louder to hear themselves. Therefore when you get new hearing aids some of the most surprising sounds you hear will be ones that you produce. Hearing yourself talk, chew, swallow and more will take some getting used to. One tip is to start reading out loud to yourself. This can help you to self regulate your volume but also assist in recognizing words and sounds again. 

3. Be gradual

You don’t have to start out wearing your new hearing aids 24/7, you can build up to it. Start by wearing your hearing aids for a few hours at a time, but if you start to get overwhelmed and tired, don’t feel ashamed about taking them out. You do want to make sure that every day you are wearing them a little bit longer, but it is okay to take your time. 

4. Listen to things at a normal volume 

Enlist the help of your family and friends to make sure you are listening to things at a normal volume. Your TV and radio may be set too loud  from when you did not have your hearing aids and you will want to make sure that you turn everything down when you do get them. If something is too loud for your friends, then you will want to turn it down until it is a normal volume for your own comfort. . 

5. Make follow-up appointments

One of the most important tips to follow is to make sure that you are attending all follow-up appointments with your hearing aid providers. While your hearing aids may have been programmed well in an office environment, as you live your daily life, you may find that it’s not as perfect as you thought. Express all your concerns with your audiologist and they will be able to reprogram your hearing aids as needed. 

6. Be patient

Adjusting to your new hearing aids will take some time, so it is important to stay patient. Don’t give up and put your hearing aids in a drawer if you think they aren’t helping. Set realistic goals and remember that there will be some frustration at times. 

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Dr. Nikki and Dr. Noel are the best hearing aid providers in Omaha! They would love to help you on your hearing aid journey and answer any questions you may have. Contact us!