The Road To Better Hearing And More Active Everyday Life
As a first-time hearing aid user it is important to set off on the right path. Far too many people do not receive the necessary information and advice about using their hearing aids. So what could be the key to more active life ends up unused in a drawer. This shouldn’t happen if the advice in this booklet is followed.
Most modern hearing aids offer a multitude of options, settings and features that can be customized to ensure the user hears a clear, very natural and comfortable sound quality. But for the first time user, a hearing aid also represents a new world with many new things that need to be learnt.
A new world – with new sounds…
Among the new sensations first – time users have to get used to are:
- Hearing many new sounds
- The physical sensation of having something in the ear
- Hearing one’s own voice in a new way
When using a hearing aid for the first time, the ears and the brain need to become accustomed to hearing sounds that may not have been audible for years. It can be an overwhelming experience to suddenly hear all of these sounds, so it is very important that the hearing aid settings are correct. Of course, a user needs to try out the new hearing aids to establish whether the settings are correct. But if new hearing aids stay in the drawer instead of in the ears, you will never have the chance of establishing whether they are properly adjusted. During the first couple of days, many of the sounds reproduced through the hearing aids may be perceived as loud and sharp, so that it may be difficult to recognize and separate the various sounds. Nothing sounds quite like it used to. And it isn’t – it’s a new world of sounds. It is a good idea to start slowly and wear the hearing aids for just a short periods of tie during the day – and preferably trying them in different listening situations. Do not begin by trying to wear the hearing aids in noisy environments for an entire day, as it is likely to be overwhelming and tiring.
…and with something in the ear
It also takes time to become used to having something in the ear. Exactly how long this takes depends on the individual. An important factor is that the hearing aids fit properly. If the earmould of a behind-the-ear model, or the shell of an in in-the-ear model, does not fit snugly in the ear canal, the hearing aid will not work optimally or it could whistle from feedback.
It is not uncommon it feel a sensation of pressure in your ear for the first few days. If this sensation does not disappear within a week, consult your hearing healthcare professional so that if necessary the earmould or shell can be adjusted.
Ask your hearing healthcare professional for help
Hearing aids very often require fine tuning adjustment after some weeks of use. The more specific you can be about your initial experience with your hearing aids. The better your hearing healthcare professional can meet your wishes and requirements. Instead of saying for example “the hearing aid sounds wrong”, one should try to identify whether it is the low or high frequency (high pitch) sounds that cause difficulties. Also note if loud sounds seem uncomfortable, even though the sound in quiet surroundings.
Listen for different sound sources, such as cutlery, china, cars, footsteps on hard floors, children’s voices, music, doors banging, laughter, tools, machinery etc. Try to sense whether these sounds form a natural part of the sound environment. If you sense any imbalance in these daily sounds – or if specific sounds seem distorted or annoying – it can give professional a good indication of where he or she can help.
In most digital hearing aids it is possible to adjust the balance between loud and soft sounds. You may note that soft sounds (ticking of a clock, refrigerator hum, distant traffic noise) seem unnaturally loud, but keep in mind that these were sounds that previously may not have been clearly audible.
Your hearing healthcare professional may provide you with a questionnaire or special diary, in which you can note your listening experiences. This information will help you both to achieve optimum results from the fine tuning process.
Practice makes perfect
In case of any difficulties – regardless of the cause – it is important to consult with your hearing healthcare professional. Some problems cannot always be immediately resolved, so don’t give up. Clinical studies have proven that hearing aids are of major benefit in increasing the quality of life of people with impaired hearing. The learning process may take time, but millions of experienced users can testify that the results are well worth the effort. And remember: there is only one person who can decide whether the hearing aids are working properly – and that’s the person wearing them.