Hearing loss is a very common illness. But as technology has advanced over the years, it has brought new hope to humanity. The hope that hearing aids give patients is a breath of fresh air, no doubt. However, getting used to these devices may not be a smooth road as they come with instructions and expectations. To make things easier, here are some ways to adjust to life with hearing aids.
Manage Expectations
As people start using hearing aids, it’s essential to have realistic expectations. These devices can significantly. Hearing aids have a purpose to magnify sound in the ears of a person with hearing loss, so it is essential to set realistic expectations. Understanding the aids are not a replacement for the natural ear is a starting point.
There is also no chance that hearing aids will improve a person’s hearing ability if the ears are permanently damaged. It is expected that wearers notice some differences in sounds that they would have heard with natural hearing and the ones from the aids; they may be sharper or more pronounced. Even a person’s voice and other familiar sounds would sound different, but this is only till the brain fully adjusts to the hearing aids.
Build a Habit of Wearing Hearing Aids
Habits and familiarity are built by consistency, and consistency happens to be a significant part of adaptation. When we introduce something new to the body, the body doesn’t recognize it, and it may be overwhelmed or see it as a threat. The same ideology applies to people just starting to wear hearing aids.
At first, the aids may seem uncomfortable, but as time goes on, the brain adjusts. The best move is to start small and easy, wearing the aids for only a few hours per day and increasing the duration as time goes on. Using the aids consistently will reduce the adjustment time and ensure the brain re-learns how to process sounds effectively.
Make the Hearing Aids Fit Perfectly
Hearing and comfort should go hand in hand, as there is no need to sacrifice one for the other. Hearing aids provide long-term satisfaction when they rest comfortably on the ear of the wearer. The opposite of this would irritate the ear, causing discomfort feedback noise, and there’s a chance of the aids falling off and getting lost when they don’t fit properly.
Hearing aids can also be fine-tuned or modified to make the wearer more comfortable. Note that ignoring any soreness or pain in or around the ear canal can be detrimental as they can be signs that the hearing aids don’t fit properly and that they need to be adjusted.
Learn to Ignore Background Noises
One common challenge for new hearing aid users is managing background noise. While hearing aids amplify sounds, they don’t always distinguish between what wearers want to hear and what they don’t. Conversations in noisy environments, such as restaurants or crowded spaces, can be particularly challenging. Some modern hearing aids now have directional microphones or noise-canceling features. These features can be adjusted during a hearing health exam to the wearer’s taste.
Practice Effective Communication with People
Communication is beyond hearing what two or more people have to say on a particular topic. It also involves understanding and actively listening to the information being passed across. For communication to be effective between parties, there has to be a level of transparency, especially in a social environment. For a person with hearing loss, this would mean letting the people around know of the situation and encouraging them to speak clearly, make eye contact, and not whisper their words.
When in a group setting, whether for school or work, it is best to be seated in a way that everyone’s face is visible. Also, politely ask people to repeat themselves if they weren’t clear enough the first time. Pay attention to visual cues like facial expressions and lip movements, as they are also a big part of communication.
Conclusion
Life with hearing aids is a big change to a person’s lifestyle, and it takes time to adjust fully. But it is not impossible; it just takes time, patience, and practice. It takes a step-by-step order of managing expectations, slowly getting used to the new lifestyle, and, at the same time, building communication strategies. Regular maintenance of the hearing aids and timely hearing exams are also essential to make the transition as seamless as possible.