Starting your journey with hearing aids is something that, for some, can take a little getting used to, and although the results are going to be positive, there can be a bit of a learning curve to get through before you can really appreciate what your hearing aids can do for you.

Don’t worry – this isn’t unusual, and it’s not something that means your hearing aids won’t work or won’t give you the results you’re looking for. It’s just a matter of adjusting to life wearing them, and that’s why it’s useful to know what to expect during your first few weeks when wearing your hearing aids.

Getting Used to New Sounds

One of the biggest changes when you start wearing hearing aids will be that you’ll finally get to hear several new sounds – sounds you might not even have realized existed before. This is a positive thing, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming when you first experience it and you might need time to get used to things.

At first, certain noises might seem louder or perhaps unfamiliar, but that’s all part of the natural adjustment process, and it’s nothing to worry about. As time goes on, your brain will get used to these new or different sounds and that will lead to a much more balanced and natural experience for you.

Gradual Usage

It might be that your audiologist recommends you start wearing your new hearing aids gradually and increase the time you wear them over a specific period. This can be a great option because it allows you to get used to the new noises, you’ll be hearing slowly rather than having to deal with them suddenly all at once.

When you start with short intervals, it will allow your hearing devices and brain to adjust much more naturally, and on top of that, you can get used to how wearing your hearing aids feels, as that can take some adjustment and getting used to as well.

Regular Follow-Up Appointments

The first few weeks with your hearing aids is really the start of a long-term and ongoing relationship with not just the devices, but with your qualified audiologist as well. You’ll be asked to come to regular follow-up appointments so your audiologist can discuss with you about how wearing the devices are and ensure that you’re happy with them. At the same time, the audiologist will be able to fine-tune the settings, address any concerns and track the progress of your hearing loss to see if there have been any changes.

The best thing to do before each appointment is to write down any questions or queries you might have in advance, so you don’t forget to ask them. Being able to ask these questions is crucial, so don’t keep things to yourself – you need to understand your hearing aids well, and your audiologist is the right person to help you do just that.