Getting used to hearing aids

When your patients begin using hearing aids for the first time, they should be informed that the process of familiarisation is a long one and getting used to them requires patience and time. For many people, getting used to their first hearing aid comes as a shock. Most people wait much too long and often they have forgotten what it is like to hear normally. This is why voices and traffic noises, for example, often seem very loud when you first start using your hearing aids. Furthermore, the sound picture is different from natural hearing. Here is some good advice for your patients who are using hearing aids for the first time.

You cannot compare using hearing aids with wearing glasses. When you receive new glasses you can see the difference immediately, with hearing aids it takes longer time to get used to them. It is a good idea to practise being a good hearing aid user. This means that you have to use your hearing aids often - do not put them away if they irritate you. Have a good and ongoing dialogue with the hearing health care professional. The more you tell him or her about your experiences in connection with using hearing aids, the better they can be fitted. Fitting hearing aids is an ongoing process. When you become more familiar with your hearing aids, you can for example tell the hearing health care professional that a certain sound seems to be too close to you. The hearing health care professional can then make adjustments and the hearing aids will work better for you. Using hearing aids for the first time is also a psychological process. It is a good idea to talk to the staff at the hearing clinic about your expectations and experiences. Also, set a personal objective and make a plan of action: Issues to be aware of and different expectations in certain periods, etc. This will be of great help for you to get used to using your hearing aids - both physically and mentally. Talk to other people who also suffer from hearing problems and who use hearing aids. They will almost certainly want to share their experiences with others.