Adapting to Your New Hearing Aids

Congratulations on Your New Hearing Aids!

If you experience hearing loss, getting hearing aids can be a big step forward. We know it will be a significant contributor to a new and improved quality of life, both for you and your loved ones.

What’s That Sound?

Even though they are a godsend, wearing hearing aids for the first time can be a little strange. You may hear sounds that you might not have heard for a long time, and it will take some getting used to. We want you to know that this is normal. It’s all part of the process, but we want you to know that the team at Allison Audiology is always here to help.

Initially, the sounds you will hear will seem tinny and metallic. You will also be more aware of sounds and conversations going on around you. While it might be a little surprising at first, this is normal, as the brain is receiving more cues than it was with untreated hearing loss.

How Long Does It Take to Adjust to New Hearing Aids?

Much like getting a new prescription for glasses, hearing aids have an adjustment period. For most people, the adjustment period usually takes one to three days. By day four, you might still have some awareness, but this will soon dissipate.

During this initial period, you might experience a slight itching in your ear canals as well. Your ears are unaccustomed to having something sitting inside them for prolonged periods, so this is completely normal. Because adapting to hearing aids is different for every individual, it’s best to put them in first thing in the morning and remove them at night. The more consistent you can be with your routine, the quicker you will adapt.

By days five to seven, wearing your hearing aids should feel more natural. However, it is common at this point to suspect that you are not hearing as well or that the technology is not as clear as it was on the first day. This is expected, and it’s actually an indication that you are adapting.

Coming Back for Your First Adjustment

The initial hearing aid programming is designed to help ease you into better hearing.
At your first “real-world” adjustment visit, we will fine-tune your technology with long-term settings. Your hearing provider will be eager to hear about your journey so far, so any observations, questions, or thoughts are encouraged.

Some of the things you can talk about include:

• How well you can hear and understand conversations, both one-on-one and in groups

• How your hearing aids are working for you in loud environments

• If there are sounds or frequencies you think are too loud or too soft

• Bluetooth Enabled Hearing Aids

• If applicable, we also like to know how your hearing aids are working with your connected technology, such as a television adapter or your smartphone.

To ensure you are getting maximum performance from your hearing aids, we will adjust the settings for your comfort level. Above all, if you are uncomfortable about any aspect of your experience, please let us know so we can help.

If you have any questions about your new hearing aids or would like to schedule an appointment for an adjustment, call our office today in Houston and let us know what we can do to help.