Congratulations on your first set of hearing aids! A wonderful new world of sound awaits you! Keep in mind that new hearing aids may require a short transition or adjustment period. A little effort on your part and a positive attitude will go a long way.
Success with hearing aids relies heavily on personal motivation. Learn about the care and maintenance your hearing aids require so you feel comfortable handling and wearing them daily. Getting into a new routine of wearing your hearing aids may take a little time. Be patient as you adjust to how your hearing aids sound and how they feel.
Hearing involves more than just our ears
Our brains interpret the sounds we hear. Prior to your hearing aid fitting, you were not hearing optimally. It’s likely been awhile since you heard sounds at a normal hearing level. When your hearing aids correct your hearing loss, sounds might seem unnatural at first since you aren’t used to hearing them. Be patient as you learn to adjust to hearing sounds the way you should. Your brain may need a little time to get reacquainted with the parts of speech you’ve been missing.
Practice makes perfect
Talk with your hearing professional about activities and exercises aimed at improving your hearing. Many offer fun, interactive online games that have been clinically developed and designed to speed up the acclimation process and enhance your experience wearing your new hearing aids. With a little practice and extra training, you can improve auditory memory, attention and recognition of speech in noise.
If it takes a little while to get used to wearing your first set of hearing aids, be patient with yourself and set realistic expectations. Your new hearing aids will soon make listening easier and more enjoyable, and you’ll begin to appreciate all the benefits wearing hearing aids brings.
Our Use & Care page and this blog post have additional acclimation tips — as should your hearing professional. So don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
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