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 Clearly USA Hearing Center |
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Start Slowly The single biggest determinant of success is your attitude toward your new hearing instruments. In the beginning, you'll need to make a conscious effort to wear them consistently, and work with them in a variety of situations Start by wearing your hearing instruments just a few hours a day, and only in familiar, quiet surroundings where you can identify and locate simple background sounds - a door closing, water running - that you may not have heard for awhile. It can and will take time to adjust to the feeling of hearing instruments in your ears, as well as to the new sound quality. Remember that overexposure to new stimuli can results in fatigue, discomfort and disappointment - all factors that can actually slow down the learning process. After a few weeks, you should be able to wear your hearing instruments routinely without undue fatigue or tension. Then you can gradually begin wearing them in more complex hearing environments, such as work or social occasions. Re-learning to hear When you put on hearing instruments for the first time, you'll begin hearing sounds you haven't heard in some time. Your brain actually has to re-learn how to hear these sounds, particularly the complex range of frequencies in human speech. Don't worry if you can't immediately understand all speech. A low, comfortable volume setting is preferable as you adapt to the new sound quality provided by hearing instruments, even if you miss occasional soft sounds or conversation. Remember too that communicating with others combines listening with attention, concentration and visual cues. Use these cues to help your understanding by observing others' facial expressions and gestures. Your own voice may also sound funny to you when you first begin wearing hearing instruments. Practice speaking and listening with someone facing you whose voice is familiar and understands your needs. In conclusion... Hearing instruments won't replicate that way you used to hear, nor will they restore or prevent further loss. But significant improvement in your sense of hearing can be gained with hearing instruments. It is a gradual process that can and will take some time. You'll need both a willingness to go through the process, as well as the patience to re-learn a new way of hearing. Remember, the single most important factor in the process is the attitude and commitment of the wearer - and the development of realistic expectations.
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