How to Adjust to New Hearing Aids

Getting new hearing aids gives you an opportunity to improve your auditory experience and benefit from the latest features, but it can take a little while to get used to new devices. If you want to enjoy a seamless and stress-free transition process, take a look at these five tips to help you adjust to new hearing aids.

1. Do your research

Before your hearing aids arrive, do as much research as possible. This will help you to familiarize yourself with the available features and settings. Whether you’ve chosen a behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, or in-the-canal hearing aid, getting to know exactly how it works will boost your confidence and help you to handle it appropriately. From customizing the settings to cleaning your hearing devices, there’s a lot to learn, so be sure to access as much information as you can. 

2. Wear new devices for short periods of time

There’s no doubt you’ll be excited about getting new hearing aids but don’t be tempted to wear them constantly when they first arrive. Instead, wear them for relatively short periods and gradually increase the length of time you use them. 

You might wear them for three hours on the first day, five hours on the second, and six hours on the third day, for example. This makes it easier to get used to any changes and, before long, you’ll be able to use your hearing aids for as long as you need to.

3. Visit your audiologist

Even if you’ve adjusted to your new hearing aids quickly, it’s still important to attend follow-up appointments. Your audiologist will want to check that you’re happy with the performance of your hearing aids and confirm that they fit well. Additionally, your audiologist may make slight changes to the settings so that their functionality is increased even more. Follow-up appointments are designed to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your hearing aids, so be sure to attend. 

4. Ask for help

When you first start wearing new hearing aids, you might feel a little nervous about using them. However, you can quickly overcome this by asking for help. Ask a family member or friend if you can practice having conversations with them in different environments, for example. This will give you an opportunity to get used to the new devices without feeling under any pressure. 

5. Use them in new environments

At first, you may find that wearing your hearing aids in familiar, quiet environments helps you to get used to them. As your confidence builds, you’ll be eager to try them out in different surroundings, such as at work, in school, or when you’re out shopping. By gradually using your hearing aids in a wider variety of environments, you can incorporate them into your day-to-day lifestyle. 

What to remember when getting new hearing aids

Hearing aids should enhance your auditory experience and improve your hearing function. If your new devices aren’t quite living up to expectations, don’t hesitate to contact your audiologist. With their experience and expertise, your audiologist will be able to ensure that your devices are working optimally and delivering the best performance.