If you have hearing loss, getting hearing aids is an excellent choice that will benefit your life in many ways. Users regularly report better mental and physical health and improved relationships with others. However, this doesn’t mean that hearing aids don’t take some getting used to.
If you are new to hearing aids, you might be struggling to adjust to your new way of hearing the world around you. These struggles can be amplified by some common mistakes first-time users often make.
Not Being Open About Your Needs
Your audiologist will be there to guide you through the entire process. They will work with you to make sure your hearing aids are comfortable, correctly adjusted and that you have the training to use and benefit from all of their features.
However, for this process to work you need to be open about your needs and experiences. Try to be as honest as you can about:
- What you can and cannot hear during your hearing test
- What your lifestyle needs are
- Whether or not you understood certain instructions
- How the fit feels
- What the sound quality is like
Similarly, you may notice issues once you go home that you didn’t during the fitting process. If this happens, contact your audiologist and let them know.
Being Impatient with Your Device—Or Yourself
Research shows that users take time to adjust to a new device and that the benefits improve over the first 10 weeks of use. However, many hearing aid users understandably hope that they will automatically experience perfect hearing the moment they wear their device for the first time.
In reality, your ears need some time to adjust to this massive change, especially if you are a first-time user. Wear your device consistently during this time, even though it can be frustrating. This is the quickest way to adjust to your hearing aids.
If you notice a problem, like the sound seems way too loud during bowling night at High Sierra Lanes, try turning down the volume to see if that helps. Be patient with your hearing aids and yourself, and let your audiologist know about any issues that linger after several weeks of use.
Not Practicing Proper Hearing Aid Maintenance
A hearing aid will only work well if it’s properly cared for. Develop a nightly cleaning routine and read the manual for tips and troubleshooting advice. Taking the time to care for your aids now will go a long way towards maximizing your hearing experience.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call LeMay Hearing & Balance today.