If you are a proud owner of a new set of hearing aids, congratulations! You are poised to receive the benefits of these devices not only for your communication ability but also for your physical, mental, and cognitive health. Although hearing aids provide life-changing assistance, they don’t work exactly like eyeglasses. Whereas you can put on a pair of eyeglasses and see the world suddenly snap into focus, our hearing ability works rather differently. We become attuned to sound through an act of mental attention, and hearing aids bring out a wide range of sounds that might surprise you. Some people feel disoriented the first time they insert their hearing aids, so it is important to take care when you are adjusting to your new hearing aids. The following tips can help you understand what you are experiencing at each step along the way.
Begin in a Quiet Place
Oddly enough, a quiet place is the best setting to begin the process of adjusting to your hearing aids. When you insert your aids for the first time, you might notice ambient sounds, heating, and air conditioning units, refrigerators, and even birds and traffic outdoors. These sounds can be unsettling at first, so it is important to try out your aids where you are safe and comfortable before you take them out on the town. If you find it uncomfortable to hear all these sounds amplified, try wearing your aids for a brief time first. As you wear your aids for a short time each day, you will become accustomed to the new sonic profile they provide you.
Out and About
Once you have become accustomed to wearing your hearing aids in the security of your own home, you can try them out in public. Perhaps you will want to take them to the grocery store or another common public place next. When you have small talk with cashiers or people in your community, you will find that the aids amplify their voices as well as other sounds. Getting used to your aids might take some time, so don’t hesitate to tell others about your process. When they know that you’re trying out new hearing aids, they will no doubt be glad to help you through the process.
Take Them for a Spin
Only after you have tried out these other settings, try wearing your hearing aids while driving. They can be quite helpful on the road, particularly for alerting you to a siren before it comes close to you. However, that same benefit can be surprising. You might want to try wearing your hearing aids in a quiet and empty road before taking them on the freeway. Keep the radio off for your first few trips, and make sure that you don’t have loud children or pets in the car with you. Once you have become used to your hearing aids, it is still wise to keep distracting noises to a minimum.
Get Your Settings Right
Many of the latest hearing aids come with customizable settings that not only suit you at home but also in the variety of places you wear your aids. Depending on the particular devices you have, you might be able to use Bluetooth technology to sync with your smartphone. Your app can be used to establish preset settings that are suited to the places you go the most. You might want to set a profile for use at home, at the office, and while driving.
With these tips in mind, it should take you no time at all to adjust to your hearing aids. If you continue to have issues with the process, don’t hesitate to contact our offices for support. We can consult with you about the issues you face, as well as the steps you can take to make the most of your hearing aids. The process of adjustment is different for everyone, and you might be able to quickly join the world of hearing assistance. If it takes a little longer, we can make sure you arrive at a place where you are reaping all the benefits of hearing aids and the enhancements they provide to your communication and relationships.