How To Get Used To Hearing Aids

Adjusting To Hearing Aids

Adjusting to new hearing aids can take some time and patience, especially for those who have lived with hearing loss for a long time. Because of the gradual onset of most hearing losses, a person suffering from hearing loss may not realise their concept of “normal” hearing will continue to change as their hearing loss develops. As a result, wearing hearing aids can initially be a bit overwhelming, and it may take some time to retrain your brain to recognise and interpret sounds that were previously missed or ignored.

Additionally, our brain subconsciously selects and highlights sounds that are important to us. Unimportant sounds are heard, but not fully perceived, unless we consciously pay attention to them.

Getting Used to Hearing Aids

When you are fitted with your new hearing device, your concept of “normal” hearing and the process of subconscious selection will need to be relearnt. If you are being fitted with hearing aids for the first time, you will hear sounds that you may not have heard for a long time.

Environmental sounds can seem unnaturally prominent or noticeable for the first few weeks. It takes time for the brain to re-learn all these sounds, which is why we gently ease you into the level of amplification you need.

It takes time to adjust to the feel of your hearing aids/moulds/domes in your ears and the effect they have on your ear canal resonance. They need to fit comfortably in your ears and not move out of your ears with jaw movement. Audiological support is essential during this initial period.

How Long Does It Take To Adjust To Hearing Aids?

In general, it may take several weeks or even a few months to adjust fully to hearing aids, but with regular use, most people find that the benefits outweigh the initial challenges. We work closely with our patients over this period to:

Provide support as you adapt to amplification
Complete the fine-tuning of your hearing aids, so they are optimally matched to your individual communication and listening requirements. Your aim is to have what you hear through the hearing aids become “normal”.

Wearing your hearing aids most of the time will ensure that you adapt more quickly, and your concept of “normal” hearing will be successfully redefined. As a result, you will become reliant on your hearing aids and will find it harder to communicate without them. This is an inevitable part of a successful hearing aid fitting and does not mean that hearing aid use has aggravated your level of hearing loss

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