Getting Used to Hearing Aids

 There are lots of reasons people have trouble getting used to hearing aids. Both expectations and hearing aids need to be adjusted. It's impossible to set all the parameters of a good hearing aid for an individual on the first visit. Factors that vary for each person include:  the characteristics of their individual hearing loss, the acoustics of their ear canal and sinuses, the sounds around them in their daily life (think live theater, grandchildren's voices, different telephones etc.), their tolerance or intolerance for louder sounds - the list goes on. The professional must listen carefully to your experience, and it will be important to bring your careful observations to her.

 While I would like to give the reader an appreciation for the complexity of dealing with sound, I don't want to scare you off either! Here are some of the problems people have had. They all are solvable!

 1. Too Much Noise!

The world is a noisy place. Unfortunately most people wait years before seeking help, and therefore live in a quiet world for so long, that the quiet becomes more comfortable - but with it comes isolation, less participation in life and frequently depression.

1.      Get help early. There will be less of a problem getting accustomed to everyday sounds if you are not used to a quieter world.

2.      Buy good aids if you can - digital programmable aids can usually be programmed to reduce background noise.

3.      Expect to see your dispenser several times in the first month or so for tune-ups. A good dispenser will start a new wearer with lower volume and work up. Write down exactly what sounds are annoying, so your specialist can adjust them properly.

4.      Be patient in the adjustment period, and wear the aids as much as you can. This is not like new glasses! - Your ears and brain have to get used to hearing again.

 2. My Own Voice is Too Loud or Echoes

1.      People with normal hearing do hear their own voice louder than the voices of others. If you have had a significant hearing loss for a significant time, it will take time to get used to your own voice, even if the hearing aids are set perfectly. Try reading aloud to yourself about 10 minutes a day.

2.      Putting anything in your ears can give you a "plugged up" feeling and sound. This is because your head and sinuses all resonate with your own voice normally, but normally some of this sound escapes out the ears, instead of remaining trapped in the head. The venting of your ear mold or hearing instrument helps to relieve this. The newer instruments, with good feedback cancellation can use larger vents, and give you a more open feeling. Your dispenser may be able to increase the vent size or change the shape of the hearing aid to give you a more open sound

3.      Most new or better hearing aids can be programmed to reduce the low frequencies, and therefore the echo or "in a barrel" sound. Ask your dispenser.

3. I Don't Like the Way it Sounds

            Try to describe the way it sounds to your hearing health professional. Use any words you like. At our office we have a list to choose from that may help you find the words. Maybe dishes and paper sound too loud, or speech is not clear. Most sounds can be adjusted to sound natural.

4. Expectations

1.   Don't expect to hear like you did when you were 18 years old.

2.       Don't expect to hear better than those around you with normal hearing. Some places are just too noisy for the rest of us too, or have poor acoustics. I have normal hearing and have to ask for repetition regularly from speakers in the car, while walking on the beach with a soft surf sound, and when the kitchen fan or water is running. Stores with hard surfaces and high ceilings are difficult too.

4.      As I explained above, there is a period during which your ears adjust, and your dispenser adjusts the hearing aids. If a patient expects to pick up these little pieces of hardware and be done, he will be disappointed. Commit to this process of adjusting, and expect to see your professional several times. A lot depends on him or her. That's why you chose a good one!

Bottom line - if you have a good dispenser, good hearing aids, and a good attitude, all these things can be overcome, and you can enjoy a good result.