Using hearing aids
Improving your hearing can be quite a change
Getting hearing aids means a lot of changes to you. Most of them will be positive; like suddenly being able to hear things you haven't heard for years, or being able to talk freely to other people and live a social life again.
But getting used to wearing hearing aids can take a little effort for some people. This is quite normal and usually disappears after a while. If the discomfort doesn't go away by itself, a Hearing Care Professional can often help by adjusting the hearing devices.
In the following we will address some of the issues connected with getting a hearing aid
Getting used to wearing hearing aids
The sound of your own voice
Often, the first thing you might notice with new hearing aids is the difference in the sound or loudness of your own voice. This can be rather distracting at first.
You will gradually get used to the 'new' sound of both your own voice and other voices. However, if you still find the sound distracting after a week or so, your hearing care professional can help you adjust the device.
Sound blockage or 'Occlusion'
The sensation of having something in your ear which blocks the sound is referred to as 'occlusion-effect'. Even though most Oticon hearing aids and earmolds have a built-in vent or small tunnel that combats occlusion, it often takes a few days to adjust to this feeling.
If the feeling of occlusion doesn't disappear after a few days, you should discuss the situation with your Hearing Care Professional, he or she can adjust the programming or physical fit of your hearing aids to relieve the occlusion.
Feedback
Most hearing devices may in some situations make a high-pitched whistling tone, known as feedback.
Feedback can happen when you turn on your devices while inserting them into your ears; when slipping clothing on or off over your head; when wearing a wide-brimmed hat; when laying your head on a pillow; when hugging another person; or when you put your hand close to your ear. This is all perfectly normal.
But if feedback occurs after your hearing aids are placed correctly in your ears, as a result of head movement or normal chewing, this should be considered unacceptable and can typically be corrected by your Hearing Care Professional.
Fine tuning your hearing aids
New sounds or long lost sounds
A hearing loss happens gradually, and you are often unaware that you have lost the ability to hear certain sounds. Hearing your footsteps on a hard floor or the refrigerator humming are typical examples of sounds that you may have forgotten.
With your new hearing aids, these sounds will seem very 'new' until you become accustomed to them. This is quite a normal reaction. Over time, you will learn to 'tune out' the sounds that are not important.
Take your time
Very few people have the ability to adjust to hearing aids immediately. Your brain is stimulated by so many new sounds that you may find the adjustment period tiring.
So try to start out slowly, and gradually progress to wearing your hearing aids for longer periods until you are able to wear them comfortably all day.
Several adjustments are not unusual
Once you begin using your hearing aids you will find that in many situations, listening becomes much easier. But in other situations it may continue to be difficult.
During follow-up appointments, your Hearing Care Professional will provide additional information and continue to make the adjustments necessary to help you get the clearest and most effortless listening.
Noise can be a challenge
Even for people with normal hearing, hearing in noise is sometimes difficult. But for a hearing aid user it can be a special challenge. Luckily, there's help. Good strategies and special devices can help relieve the problems in many situations.
Useful strategies
There are several ways to manage the most common noisy situations.
- Reduce unnecessary sources of noise (e.g. a TV blaring in the background).
- Avoid communicating from separate rooms.
- Training to focus on the words you want to hear will help you improve your understanding of speech. Practice talking with a friend outdoors or try to follow a conversation in a moderately busy restaurant.
Bear in mind that if you are tired or feeling less than your best, it may be even more difficult to listen in noise.
Being an active participant in discussions
Even people without hearing loss find it difficult to follow discussions sometimes, especially if several people talk at once. Move closer to the person you would like to hear and focus on him or her. As you gain experience with your hearing aid, you will be able to master these situations with more ease and confidence.
Visits to public places. theaters, places of worship, conference halls and similar places can present an acoustic challenge for hearing aid users. Ideally, you should find a seat in the section with the best acoustics. It is usually located in the front and center of the room. Do not sit too closely to the speaker, but close enough to see his or her face. Some public places have special technical equipment to make hearing and understanding easier. Just ask in advance or when you get there.
Follow television and radio programs. Sometimes it is not possible to understand every single word. In those cases, try to concentrate on the overall context.
Use your hearing aid with the phone. As a hearing aid user, you have many options to improve your hearing and understanding of phone calls.
Two ears hear better than one
In case of bilateral hearing loss, both ears are fitted with a hearing aid. As a hearing aid user, this will introduce you to a completely new level of hearing. Humans have two ears for a reason and it makes sense to wear two hearing aids, if you have a hearing loss in both ears.