Hearing loss is a common condition that affects about 50 million Americans. Fortunately, there are safe and effective solutions to help people deal with hearing loss. One of them is hearing aids. Below are some tips to make one’s first experience with hearing aids as simple and painless as possible.
Don’t Be Alarmed by Loud Noises
When a person uses a hearing aid for the first time, it’s common for them to hear many different sounds. This happens because their brain has grown accustomed to not hearing these sounds, and it needs time to adjust.
Gradually Increase Usage Time
While one might be tempted to wear their devices all day as soon as they get them, it may help to ease into wearing them. For example, use the device for 2 hours a day on the first day and then, increase it to 4 hours a day on the second day and so on. Keep increasing the time little by little each day.
Practice Identifying the Source of Sounds
This allows one’s brain to quickly recall all the forgotten signals one hears daily. Pay attention and identify the sounds of appliances, notifications, alarms, and phones.
Look After Hearing Aids Properly
Cleaning one’s hearing aids regularly is vital for keeping them working at their best. A dirty device will not function optimally, and regular cleaning can extend their life.
Home Is the Perfect Place to Start Using Hearing Devices
As soon as one starts using hearing aids, external sounds may seem much louder than normal. It is best to start wearing them in a quiet, relaxing environment, like one’s home. After getting used to this, one can gradually wear them in places they often visit, like the park or a store. One can also begin to use them in smaller groups, such as with one or two other people. As time goes by, one will become more comfortable using them in busier and more crowded places such as cafes and restaurants.
Read Aloud
People with hearing loss often report that their own voice sounds louder to them than it does to others. A simple but effective method for wearers to get used to their own voice again is to read aloud.
Pair reading and listening
It’s a good idea to try reading while listening to something. For example, listen to music or watch television with subtitles on. One’s brain will quickly adapt to these new conditions and form connections between the forgotten words and sounds.
