What to expect when you get hearing aids

Expect a period of adjustment:

In most cases, hearing loss develops gradually over time; this often means that you are not aware of all the sounds that you have been missing out on – some of these sounds you may find obtrusive at first, such as the constant humming of the refrigerator or air-conditioning, sounds of footsteps, noisy car engines – however, these are sounds you need to hear for safety and are often just general sounds you used to hear in the background.

It takes time for the brain to adjust and adapt to these sounds, so everything can sound quite loud at first. Be patient and persist. It will get easier.

It also takes time to learn how to use and maintain your hearing aids. Again, be patient and persist. The benefits of better hearing will make it worth your while.

 

1. Expect your voice to sound different

  • It is normal for your voice to sound strange to you initially. You should adjust to this over the next few days. If this continues to bother you, let your audiologist know.

 

2. Expect hearing aids to be comfortable:

  • It can take a while to get used to having something in your ears and stop noticing them. You may find the hearing aids irritating at first, but after a few days or a week, you should be able to wear the aids all day without discomfort. If you continue to experience irritation, let your audiologist know.

 

3. Expect to hear well, but not perfectly, in quiet one-to-one situations and most small group settings

  • Your hearing aids will amplify sounds, so speech will become comfortably loud – this makes it easier for you to listen and diminish the stress of straining.  

  • You should be able to hear most of what is said without having to watch a person's lips all the time. However, even people with normal hearing watch the person speaking in order to gain more information!

  • Even when wearing the hearing aids, you should combine your vision and your hearing to maximize your benefits from the hearing aids.

 

4. Expect to have difficulty hearing in noisy situations

  • Background noise can be a nuisance, even for normal hearing individuals. Sophisticated digital hearing aids can help by reducing background noise, but even the most sophisticated hearing aids cannot eliminate background noise.

  • Your ability to hearing better in background noise will improve significantly over the first 6 months if you wear your hearing aids consistently, every day.

 

5. Your hearing aids may whistle or squeal (feedback) under some circumstances

  • It is normal for your hearing aids to squeal when they are cupped in your hands – this is a good sign they are working. It is also normal for them to squeal when you are putting them in your ears; however once they are comfortably in place you should be able to wear them without feedback.

 

6. Expect repairs

  • Hearing aids are incredibly sophisticated devices being inserted in the ear canal where moisture and cerumen are present. Daily cleaning will allow you to avoid the majority of repairs.

 

7. Most importantly, expect to enjoy the sounds of life again!

  • Your hearing aids are a key ingredient to staying active and improving the quality of your life.

Adapted  from: Allen, R. (2002). Hearing Aids: Reasonable Expectations for the Consumer http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/hearing-aids-reasonable-expectations-for-1176 In most cases,

 

Isabelle Pallett