A Guide to Getting Used to New Hearing Aids
Extended hearing loss can impact the way you communicate with others. Even after receiving hearing aids, many people still struggle when talking and listening, which negatively affects a person's quality of life. Hearing devices do require a bit of an adjustment before you can use them comfortably and effectively, so here are a few ways you can ensure a smooth adjustment period.
3 Ways to Adjust to Your Hearing Aids
1. Wear Them a Little Longer Each Day
It can seem overwhelming when you're suddenly inundated by noises after many years of hearing loss. As a result, you might find it difficult to wear the hearing aids all day long after first getting them.
Start out by only wearing them for an hour or so each day. Once you adjust, extend the time by another hour or so, until you're able to wear the device for most of the day.
2. Practice With Family and Friends
People with hearing loss often have trouble conversing in large groups due to noise levels. It can also be challenging to interpret certain cues after being unable to hear clearly for so long.
In this case, test your skills with close friends and family members before having conversations in public. Speaking with your loved ones will be less intimidating as you work through the adjustment period.
3. Read Aloud to Yourself
If you've dealt with hearing loss for some time, you may experience difficulty modulating your voice. Many people with hearing issues speak louder than necessary, which can be off-putting for others.
If you find that you're still experiencing issues with voice loudness, try reading books out loud when you're home alone. Now that you can hear yourself more clearly, you'll be able to identify when you're speaking too loudly and correct your volume.
In addition to providing helpful tips and information to patients, the team at Heartland Better Hearing also offers a wide selection of high-tech hearing aids. Based in Elizabethtown, KY, they can perform a comprehensive hearing test and help you find the perfect device for your lifestyle. They even offer free in-home testing in case you can't make it to their location. Visit the website for the full listing of services. And if you'd like to schedule a free evaluation, call (270) 735-9352 today to learn more.