Hearing Again with Hearing Aids
Obtaining hearing aids can be an exciting time of your life. While you may be excited to be able to hear once more, the process of regaining your hearing takes a period of adaptation so that your brain can readjust to the sudden increase in sound input. The initial days wearing your hearing aids might be frustrating due to the sudden increase in various sounds that you may not have heard in a long time. Work with your hearing aid professional to help adjust your hearing device settings and utilize the coping strategies outlined in this article to help you successfully adjust to your new hearing aids.
Hearing aids, being foreign objects to your ears, can feel uncomfortable at first and you may be reluctant in wearing them. However, this initial discomfort is temporary since your ears will slowly grow accustomed to your hearing aids and over time you may not even notice that you are wearing them. Gradually increasing the frequency of wearing your hearing aids for a period of time each day will help your ears adjust to having your hearing aids on. Wearing your hearing aids can be tiresome since your hearing input will increase, so be patient with yourself and take it one day at a time.
Some people may feel that obtaining hearing aids will enable them to regain their normal sense of hearing. However, it is important to be realistic and accept the fact that even though you may hear more sounds than before, your hearing will never be the same as regular, unaided hearing. To help you adjust to your new hearing aids, set small, tangible, measurable goals that will help smoothen your transition into the hearing world. For example, you can increase your hearing aid use from half an hour one day, to 45 minutes the next, and then 1 hour the day after. This gradual goal-setting will help keep you on track and enable you to gradually get used to your new identity with hearing aids.
Keep an open mind when you start wearing your hearing aids. Not all days are the same so do not be disheartened with your progress, or lack thereof. Each person is unique and takes a different amount of time to adjust to change so be patient with yourself and use positive thoughts to help keep you motivated. Focus on your strengths and make note of situations in which you can hear better than others and use the success in these situations to help prepare you for more challenging settings.
Share your experience with your friends and loved ones so that you can gain social support to get through this transition phase smoothly. Communicate your needs and let them know of the ways in which your hearing might still be limited. Help them help you regain your sense of hearing so that you can begin to cherish each joyous sound in your daily life once more.