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Tips for getting used to hearing aids

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I can’t stand my hearing aid, how do I get used to it?

Wearing hearing aids for the first time can be quite tedious for some people, because effects such as "occlusion effects" or "hearing aid feedback" could occur. However, it can represent an important milestone in an individual's life, not only because they will be able to hear noises, voices, and sounds once again, but also because wearing a device is a novelty both aesthetically and functionally.

Why can't I get used to my hearing aid?

Wearing a hearing aid means getting used to a new device and sometimes the first few weeks do not always run smoothly. Hearing aids can improve your quality of life, but like all new things it is not always easy getting used to them, especially if it is a medical device that must be worn daily. However, you can be sure that after the first few weeks have passed, you will begin to enjoy your new daily routine.

Sensory deprivation and cognitive decline

A hearing impairment can profoundly alter the way you interact with your environment and can result in changes in the connections between different cortical areas and, in particular, different sensory areas. Deafness also causes physical emaciation, decreased vigor and independence, reduced social interactions, and difficulty in daily activities in general. It can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression. Not to mention, it can also be a factor in high cardiovascular risk and mortality.

Metallic and environmental sounds in the ear

If a person has not heard certain sounds and noises for a long time, the sounds amplified by the hearing aids will seem metallic, artificial and unnatural at first. However, this is due to the absence of high-frequency sounds for several years. This unnatural sound quality will actually improve speech understanding. Hearing is a complex function that requires the cooperation of the brain and all the other senses.

I can't stand hearing my own voice

One of the most common sensations reported by those who have just began using a hearing device is the perception that their voice has "changed." Autophonia is said to occur when a person is able to perceive their own voice be too loud or booming. This is an entirely apparent and transient phenomenon. When a person who does not use hearing aids speaks, they hear the sound of their own voice from within and through the vibration of body tissues

Tips for getting used to your hearing aid

Below a few tips for getting used to the hearing aid: 

  • wear the hearing aid in familiar surroundings; start by using hearing aids at home or in other quiet listening environments. Inform friends and family that you are using the new hearing aids so they can help you.
  • participate in conversations;
  • turn off the aid in places that are too noisy; 
  • experiment with the hearing aid; you can practice with hearing aids by trying to identify the sources of all sounds in your environment,
  • listening to audiobooks or reading aloud or talking to your pet to get used to your voice. 
  • contact the hearing care professional if there are any problems.

 

Hearing aid settings

When you wear a hearing aid for the first time, your hearing care professional will set it up to best suit your specific hearing needs. After a few months, you may begin to notice some signs that further adjustments may be needed.  The periodic adjustment of hearing aids allows you to always get the most out of these devices.

Choosing your hearing aid domes

The domes are the removable part at the end of the earpiece of the hearing aid. They allow the hearing aid to remain correctly positioned in the ear. Domes for hearing aids are available in different sizes. To order the right ones for you, contact an Amplifon expert.

Custom-made earmolds for optimal comfort

In-the-ear hearing aids can be personalized to the individual's needs, ensuring a high level of hearing comfort. In addition to this, it is possible to choose from various colors, all similar to skin tones, so that the hearing aid can be worn discreetly. These particular models place inside the ear canal, thus being practically invisible; despite their small size, they can cover mild to moderately severe hearing loss. 

Everyday hearing training

Hearing exercises can be carried out in everyone's daily routine. These exercises can help refine hearing and improve concentration in general. The important thing is to do them consistently and continuously. Some activities such as reading aloud, listening to music, and doing physical activity in general can greatly help improve hearing.

Hearing training with Amplifon App

The Amplifon App is the application designed to manage your hearing journey, it will help you make the most of it and it will teach how to keep it in perfect working order. With the Amplifon App you will never feel alone: it was created to be your virtual companion and follow you step by step on your path to fitting your devices. With its advice everything will be clearer and easier.

In addition, the Amplifon App keeps track of the daily use of your devices and your progress. In addition to this, it allows you to track your daily device adaptation results and monitor your activity with a weekly and monthly summary. 

Audiologist in blue shirt talking with an elderly couple in an Amplifon store.

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Prevention is the best way to combat hearing loss. Schedule an appointment at an Amplifon center to check your hearing health. Discover all the solutions offered and the different types of hearing aids.  

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State of the art technology hearing aids

State-of-the-art hearing aids are individually adjusted by a professional audiologist to compensate for hearing impairments while respecting your needs and lifestyle. 

  • Targeted amplification of sounds no longer audible to the user
  • Exclusion of loud sounds 
  • Individual programming and fitting 
  • Small and discreet, sometimes even invisible 
  • Thin, lightweight and flexible frames 
  • Available in different colors

How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?

It usually takes only a few weeks to get used to wearing hearing aids. It takes time for the ear and brain to readjust to auditory stimuli and recognize them properly.

Should I wear my hearing aid every day?

Hearing aids should be worn all day long, specialists recommand wearing them 7 to 8 hours a day. Although initially there may be a slight discomfort as the brain is no longer used to distinguishing sounds so clearly, hearing aids must be worn every day.

The steps to getting a hearing aid

The first step in finding out whether a person needs hearing aids is through a hearing test. The second step is to identify, together with the audiologist, the type of hearing aid best suited to the type of hearing loss, specifications, and settings best suited to their lifestyle. At the end of the process, the patient will then go through the fitting, during which the audiologist will program the hearing aids according to his or her needs.

If a relative of yours is using hearing aids

There are many actions you can take to assist your loved one in adjusting to his or her new hearing devices: 

  • You can act as a patient and quiet interlocutor while your relative is training to listen.
  • Prepare a list of pairs of words, differing by only one sound, and say them aloud so that your loved one can observe lip movements.
  • Be patient.
  • Provide listening and moral support. 
  • Attend medical appointments. 
  • Keep a sense of humor and laugh together.
  • Learn more about hearing loss

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