Posts Tagged ‘adjusting to a hearing aid’

A recent article in the McClatchy-Tribune talked about how it’s critical that effective hearing aids get a good fit and trial period. All too often, hearing aids wind up being thrown in the dresser drawer or stuffed at the bottom of a purse when a user is frustrated. People decide to stop wearing hearing aids for many reasons, like poor fit or feeling like it’s a social stigma, for example.

Also worth noting is that audiologist Deborah Minnis, whom the article focused on, suggested that there really isn’t a stigma anymore when it comes to hearing aids. With the popularity of Bluetooth headsets for digital phones, these days it seems like just about everyone has something in their ear. So now you’re high-tech if you have something colorful in your ear, remarked Minnis. With hearing aids now being made in bright colors and new designs, they really do look high-tech.

Minnis recently held a free seminar about the basics of sensorineural hearing loss, where she was able to speak to people suffering from hearing loss. Some of those people had not been satisfied with their hearing aids, but she was able to recommend hearing aids for them on the basis of need and fit. One of the reasons people buy hearing aids and then don’t wear them, she said, is poor fit and the noises that result because of that.

Here at the Hearing Aid Blog at Hearing Aid Express, we’ve talked before about adjusting to a hearing aid. It can take several weeks for a hearing aid to feel natural, so it’s important to give it a proper trial period. Once you’ve adjusted to a hearing aid, sounds should be sharper and louder. Still, it’s important to remember that a hearing aid will not completely restore your hearing.

Don’t miss our frequently asked questions page if you would like to find out more information about hearing aids, like how they work, how long they last and what they typically cost. And our hearing self-evaluation may be useful if you’re wondering if you are experiencing some degree of hearing loss.

Adjusting to a hearing aid, for many people, may be an uncomfortable process. Louder sounds take some getting used to, but eventually adjusting to a hearing aid will be a thing of the past for you as you enjoy louder hearing.

Tips for Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

Recently the Minnesota Department of Human Services released some tips for adjusting to a hearing aid. They suggest that you start out by wearing your hearing aid just at home, taking note of the sounds you can now hear because of the new hearing aid. Next, they suggest gradually adding more sound sources. Some examples of sound sources can be the radio, TV or even a conversation. It’s important to note that this step of adjusting to a hearing aid should still happen at your home. You can extend the amount of time you wear your hearing aid gradually, so long as it feels comfortable. Remember that it’s perfectly normal to need to adjust the volume frequently, and you may even need to eventually visit your doctor or audiologist to have your hearing aid adjusted. After several weeks of adjusting to a hearing aid, rest assured that sounds should begin to feel natural.

Adjusting to a Hearing Aid Takes Time

As the saying goes, “All good things come to those who wait.” That’s certainly true for adjusting to a hearing aid. While it may take several weeks for sounds to feel natural, it will certainly be worth the wait to enjoy louder, sharper hearing from your new hearing aid.

After Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

After adjusting to a hearing aid, you’ll notice that sounds are enhanced and you can hear better. It may be surprising to you to hear things so loudly and clearly. After all, hearing loss is gradual, so you likely grew unaccustomed to sounds like background conversations and the hum of the refrigerator. One thing that’s important to remember after adjusting to a hearing aid is that a hearing aid will not completely restore your hearing.

More Help with Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

For more help with adjusting to a hearing aid and to view a section of frequently asked questions about hearing aids, be sure and visit HearingAidExpress.com. Or even if you are just researching hearing aids and aren’t sure if you need one, feel free to take our hearing self evaluation. HearingAidExpress is proud to carry a large selection of hearing aids.