Beginner Tips for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are life-changing, enabling those with hearing loss to regain an essential sense and improve communication. When you’re using hearing aids for the first time, the adjustment period may require some patience. You might experience initial discomfort or feel overwhelmed by the new sensations.

However, the key to a smoother transition is learning what to expect and how to manage this adjustment phase so that you can discover what works best for you.

Common Challenges & Adjustments When Wearing Hearing Aids for the First Time

1. The Tips in My Ears Are Uncomfortable

One of the most frequent complaints from first-time hearing aid users is discomfort in the ears. The sensation of wearing something in your ears can feel strange or awkward, especially if you’ve never worn hearing aids before. You may notice pressure in the ear canal, or the tips may feel tight. This is perfectly normal, as your ears are not used to having a foreign object inside them.

Give yourself a few days to acclimate to the sensation. Often, this discomfort subsides as your ears become accustomed to the hearing aids. However, if the discomfort persists after a week or two, consult your audiologist. They may recommend different sizes or materials for the tips, such as softer silicone. In some cases, they might suggest a different style of hearing aid altogether, like a behind-the-ear (BTE) model instead of an in-ear one.

2. Things Will Sound Different

When you start wearing hearing aids, the world will sound noticeably different—and that’s a good thing! However, the change can be startling at first because your brain is suddenly receiving a lot more auditory input than it’s used to.

Everyday noises that you might not have noticed before, such as the hum of a refrigerator, the ticking of a clock, or footsteps on hard floors, may now seem amplified. This, in turn, can be overwhelming.

But it’s important to give yourself time and grace to adjust, as this is typically a temporary phase. Your brain is still trying to adjust to the new auditory signals, and when it eventually does, the sounds will potentially start to feel more natural.

3. Sounds Are So Much Louder

While hearing aids are designed to amplify sounds to compensate for hearing loss, this sudden boost in volume can be jarring at first. Simple noises like rustling paper, footsteps, or even the sound of water running can seem much louder than what you’re used to.

During this time, your brain simply needs to adjust. The brain’s natural ability to filter out unnecessary noise (like background chatter or traffic sounds) will take some time to re-engage after being deprived of these sounds due to hearing loss. In some cases, you could have a more balanced and comfortable hearing level in a few weeks. If it remains overwhelming, it’s always worth discussing this with your audiologist—they may adjust the settings to make the transition smoother.

4. My Voice Sounds So Much Louder

A common first-time experience with wearing hearing aids is feeling like your own voice sounds amplified. This is because of changes in ear canal acoustics and microphone feedback. Hearing aids alter how sound waves travel through your ear canal, and this can make your voice seem louder than it really is, a phenomenon called the “occlusion effect.” Additionally, the microphones in your hearing aids pick up your voice and may amplify it more than you’re used to, creating an echo-like or booming sensation.

However, your brain will gradually adjust to this new experience. While the adjustment period may be different for everyone, in most cases, your voice may sound more natural again within a few weeks. During this period, it may help to practice speaking aloud in quiet environments to get accustomed to the new sensation.

5. My Hearing Aids Sound Unnatural

It’s not unusual for sound through your hearing aids to feel a little artificial at first. This is especially true for people with more advanced hearing loss, as the jump from impaired hearing to amplified sound can feel stark.

Several factors influence sound quality. The way you perceive sound through hearing aids can depend on the device’s technology, the level of your hearing loss, and how your brain processes the amplified sound. Hearing aids digitally process sounds, and depending on the quality of the device, there may be a slight difference between the natural sound you remember and what you now hear.

However, the brain has an amazing ability to adapt to changes in sensory input, but it can take time. At first, amplified sounds may feel flat, tinny, or artificial because they’re being digitally processed by the hearing aids. Over time, your brain will “relearn” how to interpret these sounds, and they will begin to feel more natural.

6. No One Will Notice Your Devices

It’s completely natural to feel self-conscious when wearing hearing aids for the first time. Many often worry that others will immediately notice their hearing aid, leading to feelings of embarrassment or anxiety. However, rather than focusing on how your hearing aids will look, you could try to shift your focus to the positive changes they bring to your life.

With your hearing aids, you’ll be able to engage more fully in conversations, enjoy clearer communication, and participate in social interactions without straining to hear. And these advantages can outweigh any concerns about appearance.

7. You May Hear Yourself Differently

Your auditory feedback loop has been broken by hearing loss, so when you wear hearing aids for the first time, your own voice might sound odd. The auditory feedback loop helps us monitor the sound of our own voice, adjusting volume and tone naturally in response to what we hear. When hearing loss occurs, the brain adapts to the lack of auditory input, making your voice sound quieter or more muffled. Once you begin using hearing aids, this loop is reconnected, but it takes time for the brain to readjust.

The odd sensation of hearing your own voice will fade over time. As with other sounds, your brain will adapt to the new auditory signals and adjust to the way your voice sounds through the hearing aids. This adjustment period varies from person to person, but most users find that within a few weeks, their voice sounds natural again.

8. You’ll Probably Forget You’re Even Wearing Hearing Aids

Once you’ve successfully adjusted to wearing hearing aids, they’ll likely become a seamless part of your daily life. In fact, many users report that after the initial adjustment period, they forget they’re even wearing them. It also helps that today’s hearing aids are lightweight, non-intrusive, and made to fit comfortably in or around your ear.

With consistent use, you’ll become more comfortable with the sensation of wearing them, and they will become an integral part of your daily routine.

9. Return Visits

Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and they require ongoing adjustments to ensure they’re providing you with the best hearing experience. Once you’ve been fitted with your hearing aids, follow-up appointments for hearing assessments are crucial for making sure everything is working as it should.

During your follow-up appointments, your audiologist will use a combination of your feedback and technical measurements to tweak your hearing aids. These adjustments can include refining volume levels, adjusting sound frequencies, and even recalibrating noise reduction features to ensure optimal clarity in various environments, such as noisy restaurants or quiet offices.

Audiologists often use “real ear measures,” which is a tool used to measure how well your hearing aids are amplifying your sound in real time. These measurements provide crucial data to ensure that the devices are amplifying sound appropriately for your specific hearing loss and ear anatomy. This personalized approach helps ensure that your hearing aids are fine-tuned to your unique needs, giving you an optimal hearing experience.

10. You Should Be Hearing Better

At the end of the day, the primary goal of wearing hearing aids is to improve your ability to hear and communicate with those around you. If everything is working as it should, you should notice significant improvements in your overall hearing quality and clarity.

Hearing Aid Tips to Ease the Transition

Wearing hearing aids is a significant change, but there are ways to make the transition smoother.

1. Give It Time

Adjusting to hearing aids takes patience. But to help you gradually get used to sound while wearing your hearing aid, start by wearing them for just a few hours each day. Then, increase the wear time as you become more comfortable. Your brain needs time to adapt to the new sound input, so be patient with yourself and allow this adjustment to happen naturally without rushing the process.

2. Read Aloud

Reading aloud is an excellent way to help your brain reconnect sound and language. This simple practice retrains your brain to process and understand sounds in context, helping to reinforce how words and sounds work together, which can speed up the adjustment to hearing aids.

3. Watch TV with Captions

When watching TV, using captions can be a great aid in helping your brain link sounds to speech. Captions visually reinforce the words you hear, making it easier for your brain to associate sounds with language, and this can be particularly useful during the early stages of wearing hearing aids.

4. Keep Your Hands Off the Volume Setting

Modern hearing aids are designed to automatically adjust the volume to provide an optimal hearing experience. Avoid manually changing the volume, as this can disrupt the device’s ability to adjust to different environments. Trust your hearing aids to make the necessary sound changes on their own.

5. Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe

Proper care and storage are essential to extending the life of your hearing aids. Make sure to store them in a dry and safe place when they are not in use. Additionally, clean them regularly, following your audiologist’s instructions, and be diligent about battery care to ensure they continue to function effectively.

6. Keep Your Ears Healthy

Maintaining good ear hygiene is vital for your hearing aids to work properly. Keep your ears dry and avoid inserting objects, like cotton swabs, into your ear canal. Healthy ears allow your hearing aids to perform at their best, ensuring a clear and comfortable hearing experience.

7. It’s Okay to Ask for Help

If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask your audiologist for help. Open communication is key to having a positive experience with your hearing aids, and your audiologist is there to support you through this transition, making any necessary adjustments to improve your comfort and hearing quality.

8. Read Up on Your New Technology

Understanding the features of your hearing aids can help you maximize their benefits. Take time to read the user manual and explore additional resources if needed. The more you know about your devices, the more confidently you’ll be able to use them, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Wear Your Hearing Aids with Pride

While wearing hearing aids can take some time to get used to, it’s important to remember how these tools help you with hearing and communication. As long as you wear your hearing aids, you could stay connected to the world around you—whether it’s hearing the voices of loved ones more clearly or participating in conversations with ease.

Moreover, hearing aids in the Philippines are typically designed to be discreet and user-friendly. By wearing them, you’re taking control of your hearing health and navigating barriers that once limited your ability to properly engage in life’s most meaningful experiences.

For more insights, check out what you should expect at your first consultation with a hearing specialist.