Firstly, if you’re brand new to hearing aids and you’re struggling with them at the beginning, don’t panic! It does take a little bit of time to get used to them and this is completely normal.
Getting used to sound again
The brain plays a big role in our hearing. Your brain processes the sound that your ears hear and makes sense of it for you. When you begin to wear hearing aids, your ears will immediately be able to hear more sounds. It may take a bit longer for your brain to catch up.
This is why we offer as many follow up appointments as it takes for you to get used to your new hearing aids. If you are a new hearing aid user, we can set the aids to run at less than 100% and work up to their full potential over a specific time period. This can help your brain get used to all of the new sounds it needs to process and perhaps hasn’t had to process for a while.
Follow up appointments are a great way to ensure any of your questions are answered.
It can feel overwhelming at first to be able to hear everything again, and this is fine. It may feel strange and you may even dislike the feeling at first. With a little perseverance, it will quickly become a lot easier.
Insert your hearing aids correctly
No matter which type of hearing aid you use, if they are not inserted into your ear correctly, they won’t be helping as much as they should. In fact, they could even be causing you discomfort or creating feedback meaning you’re not a fan of them! It takes time and practice to learn how to insert your hearing aids perfectly. At your hearing aid fitting appointment, your hearing healthcare professional will show you how to put your hearing aids in. They will then help you to do it yourself. If you feel like you need more instruction, please ask!
Keep your hearing aids clean
Once you’ve received your new hearing aids, you will be shown how to care for and maintain them. It’s so important that you look after them to ensure they are performing at their full potential for you. If they are not cleaned regularly, they may become clogged with wax or debris. This means they will not work as well as they should.
The best thing to do first is to give your hearing aids a visual inspection. You will then be able to see clearly the areas that need cleaning as well as decide which tools you require to remove the dirt and debris. You should begin by using a soft cloth to clean your aids gently. Do not ever use water or place your aids in water as this could ruin them. Once you have wiped them over, you can begin to use the small brushes and tools to dislodge any ear wax that may have built up.
An example of a hearing aid cleaning kit.
Once your hearing aids are clean, you can assess whether you need to change the wax filters and domes (if applicable). It is advisable to change these at least once a month to ensure they don’t become clogged up with ear wax. If you need to change them any more frequently than this, your hearing care professional will advise you.
Attend your scheduled hearing appointments
Your hearing care professional should book you in for hearing appointments at least once every 6 months. At these appointments, they will re-test your hearing and reprogram your hearing aids to ensure any changes to your hearing are captured. It is also your opportunity to ask any questions that may have come to mind in the previous 6 months. They can ensure you have been cleaning your hearing aids correctly. The connection from your hearing aids to your smartphone will be checked to ensure it’s still intact.
If you would like any further information, or to discuss upgrading your hearing aids, please give us a call.
