Wearing Hearing Aids for the First Time

So, it’s your first time wearing hearing aids and if you’re anything like me, the first thing you want to do is take them off! You can’t imagine that everyone hears this way and everything is just too darn loud. Here are five tips for the first time wearing hearing aids.

1. Keep them on! I know it’s loud but the only way to get used to it and begin hearing “normally” is to leave them on.

2. Ask people to speak a little softer. I know this is the opposite of we normally ask of others, but explain to them that you just got hearing aids. Until you get used to the background noise, ask people to speak a little quieter.

3. Keep them on even at home (even if you are by yourself). You may want to take them off when you first receive hearing aids when you are at home alone, but this is the perfect place to adjust to them. The noise level is much softer, but you can still get used to the sound of feet walking, doors opening, the microwave fan, the toilet flushing, etc. This may be the best place to wear them for the first time too.

4. Read aloud or talk to yourself. Not only are other noises going to sound different, you are too! Reading aloud or just talking to yourself will help to get accustomed with your own voice again.

5. Take a break! Yes, it is important to keep them on and let your ears adjust. But, listening to new noises is hard! If you start feeling dizzy or sick, shut the hearing aids off and take a break.

#hearingaids #firsttimehearingaids #loudness