Is There an Adjustment Period for Hearing Aids?

Whether you are a first-time user of hearing aids or if you have been wearing hearing aids for some time, there is typically an adjustment period when using a new hearing devices. Sometimes the hearing aid will change shape, it will feel different in your ear. Other times, technology will make what you hear sound different. It can be a clearer sound, clearer than you have ever heard before or it can be a toned-down sound that makes hearing more comfortable. Whatever the change, there are steps to adjustment that you and your audiologist can follow to get more comfortable with your new hearing aid.

Get Fitted for a Hearing Aid

Once it has been determined by your medical team that you need to wear a hearing aid, you will then go and get fitted for one. It will feel different because you will not be used to always having an apparatus in your ear. Keep in mind that what you are doing is brave and it will benefit your life and make your life better. If you are already someone who has been wearing hearing aids for a while, there will still be some feelings of change in your ear as you have a new device that may sit differently in your ear or is a new shape than what you are used to. 

Work with your audiologist and be as honest as possible with them when it comes to comfort. You are going to always have the hearing aid in your ear, so the more comfortable you are the better you will hear because if it’s uncomfortable you will be more inclined to take it out. 

Learn How to Use a Hearing Aid

Once you are fitted for the hearing aid, you will work with your audiologist in properly using the device by learning how your hearing aid works. There are several functions on your hearing aid that will enable you to hear better and connect to your cell phone. Your hearing aid will also run-on batteries and you will need to know how to change the batteries and know when the batteries are low so that you can change them before they completely die. Your audiologist will go through all of this with you so you can know everything you need to know to keep your hearing aid working and your ear healthy while wearing the device. 

Give Yourself Some Time

Once you are fitted and you know how everything works, you must give yourself some time to get used to wearing a hearing aid. If you are already a user of hearing aids, you know this already. The adjustment for people who already wear hearing aids will be shorter, but for those who are wearing one for the first time, you are going to need a little time so don’t get frustrated. 

Give yourself a two-week period to get adjusted to wearing a hearing aid. The first thing is to allow your ear to get adjusted to having something in it. Your hearing aid is going to be comfortable, but it will still feel different.

There are also going to be times when you are going to have to take your hearing aid out. Whether you are sleeping or in the shower, swimming in the pool or going in the ocean, you are going to have to get used to keeping your device safe and clear of situations that may damage it. That also means you are going to have to get used to putting your hearing aid back in.

Schedule a Follow-Up

Before leaving the office, schedule a follow-up appointment with your audiologist. During the two-week period where you are going to be adjusting to your hearing aid, you may notice some adjustments that need to be made for it to be more comfortable or work more effectively. In the follow-up you can fix these problems and be the most comfortable you can be. 

Once you have your follow-up, you may need to go back one more time to completely fix all that may be causing you to experience discomfort or distorted hearing. 

Contact Advanced Hearing Services at (970) 449-0592 to schedule your appointment with an audiologist today. You will be on your way to hearing better with more comfort and confidence.