The first moment with hearing aids

Adjusting to wearing hearing aids isn’t difficult. You may have some minor issues at first, but after a few days you will probably barely notice that you have your hearing aids on.

Common issues with adjusting to hearing aids

Here are four issues you may experience:

1. “I feel like I have blocked ears”
Also known as the “occlusion effect,” it may feel like your ears are clogged.Your hearing aids probably have a vent that will help air pass into your ear –this will help you to eventually adjust to the sound that your hearing aids produce.

2. “It sounds like I am speaking in a barrel”
You own voice may sound different when you first wear hearing aids. This isbecause your voice is amplified by your hearing aids. You will soon getaccustomed to this.

3. “My hearing aids are whistling”
High-pitched whistling, called “feedback”, can happen occasionally when you insert your hearing aids into your ears, slip clothing over your head, or lean in close for a hug. Hearing aids are equipped with feedback cancellation, which aims to eliminate this sound.

4. “I feel a pressure in my ears”
It is not uncommon to feel a sensation of pressure and a little soreness inyour ear for the first few days. If this sensation does not disappear after afew days - or if you feel ear pain – contact your Audiologist.

New hearing aid users often remark that everything sounds very loud when they first start using their hearing aids. Suddenly the clicks from a keyboard, the sound of rushing water, and even the squeaks of your shoes seem very noticeable. This is a good thing – you’re hearing sounds you haven't heard in a long time! Still, it may be tiring to take in all these new sounds.

• Try wearing your hearing aids for a few hours at a time during the first few days and gradually build up to a whole day.
  
  
• It may also help to avoid wearing your hearing aids in noisy environments until you are completely comfortable with them in more quiet environments. 

This way you can gradually adjust to the “new” sounds aroundyou without being overwhelmed.

To help you adapt to this new sound experience, Widex offer Acclimatisation, a method where the hearing aid will, over time,automatically and gradually increase the level of sound with you, to ensure that your hearing aids work with you to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition to better hearing. Read more about Acclimatisation here. 

If you think you are experiencing hearing loss or you know someone who is experiencing hearing loss, encourage them or yourself to take our FREE Online Hearing Test