What to expect in the first month with a new hearing aid

May 17, 2017

It can take up to four months for you to adjust and get used to your hearing aids, but there are some changes you will notice right from the start. It’s important to be patient, if you have questions or concerns about your progress and hearing aids, be sure to contact us for help. Hearing aids will often need to be adjusted several times during the trial period, as this is a team effort, do not hesitate to call us at Academy Hearing.

Expect an adjustment period when you first start wearing your hearing aids. From the drip of a leaky faucet to the sound of the air conditioning running to the sound of your feet brushing the floor as you walk, the world is full of sounds. Some sounds may startle you at first, and many hearing aid styles partially occlude the ear canals which can make your voice sound different. Most people using hearing aids notice this effect at first, but then quickly adjust to it.

Hearing aids are quite an investment, you’ll want to do some minor maintenance in order to keep them clean and functioning properly. Daily cleaning with a soft cloth, wax removal, use of a dry kit overnight and changing the batteries are all tasks that are easy to accomplish and we are more than happy to show you how to do them.

We recommend listening to ebooks as a way to practice hearing and understanding, as you will need to re-educate your brain to selectively focus on and filter sounds. However, the adjustment period may be tiresome as it’s a lot like retraining a muscle that has not been used in a while. Remember to rest, reach out for support and stick with it!

Although hearing aids immensely improve the quality of your life and allow you to get back to doing the things you love, there is no doubt they are a significant life change. With just a little bit of knowledge about what to expect and support, together we can make the adjustment to hearing aids as smooth and stress-free for yourself as possible! Remember to come see us at Academy Hearing if you have any questions or concerns during the process.