How Can a Hearing Aid Help Me?
- Based on hearing tests, the ENT specialist can determine whether a device is necessary and specify its type and model according to the hearing loss.
- In sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids can be partially beneficial in improving the patient’s hearing and comprehension levels.
- When recommending a hearing aid, factors such as hearing ability, work and home activities, physical condition, and medications used should be taken into consideration.
- Although it creates a financial burden, in patients with bilateral hearing loss, fitting devices to both ears, while also considering social and occupational circumstances, is beneficial for balancing sounds, improving word comprehension in noisy environments, and determining the direction of sounds.
The Process of Adapting to a Hearing Aid:
If you are using a hearing aid for the first time, it will take some time to adapt. This period varies depending on your age, the degree of your hearing loss, and your willingness to use the device. Studies have shown that this period varies between 5 and 25 days.
When you first start using your device, some sounds may be uncomfortable. Especially people who have had hearing loss for a long time may have gradually forgotten sounds that people with normal hearing are accustomed to hearing in their surroundings, particularly wind and traffic sounds. When a hearing aid is first used, these sounds may also seem louder than before and may disturb you. Adapting to these and similar sounds is quite easy with some willingness and practice when you continue using your hearing aid. You can contact us to receive information about adapting to a hearing aid.
The first days:
During the first few days, use your hearing aid for a few hours in environments you are familiar with, such as your home and workplace.
If you feel tired or tense, remove your device. After you feel better, wear it again for a few more hours. Repeat this practice every day for gradually increasing periods. Within 7 to 10 days, you should be able to put your device on in the morning and remove it in the evening. Listen to your own voice by reading a book or newspaper aloud. During the first few days, your own voice may sound different or louder. If the difference in your own voice does not improve during the adaptation process and this causes discomfort, you can contact the hearing aid company from which you purchased the device. With simple changes to the device mold or the device’s program settings, you can use your device at a very good level.
Talk to one person in a quiet environment. Look at the face of the person you are speaking with and ask them to repeat the words you do not understand. Turn off devices that may make comprehension difficult, such as the radio and television. This will help you adapt more easily to the sounds amplified and transmitted to you by the device.
In the following days:
Participate in conversations in small groups, and during the initial period, make sure these groups consist of people whose voices you recognize. During conversations, ask the person whose speech you cannot understand to repeat what they said.
While several people are talking, try to speak with another person. While listening, observe the facial expressions and lips of the person speaking. In larger groups and crowded environments, speech and surrounding sounds may become more mixed. Distinguishing these can be difficult even for people who do not use hearing aids. Be patient; over time, you can make this distinction more effectively.
What Can I Expect from a Hearing Aid?
Successfully using a hearing aid requires time and patience. A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing, nor will it cause deterioration in your current condition. Adapting to a hearing aid is a process that takes time, and this process includes learning to hear surrounding sounds and becoming accustomed to hearing different sounds.
To adapt to a hearing aid, it is necessary to begin by using it for a few hours in a stress-free environment. Social programs are available to help users acquire new hearing techniques and develop skills that allow them to manage their hearing loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Adapt to a Hearing Aid?
The process of adapting to a hearing aid varies from person to person but is generally completed within a few weeks to a few months. Regular use can accelerate this process.
How Long Should I Wear the Hearing Aid During the First Days?
During the first days, it is recommended to use the device for short periods and gradually increase the duration of use. This allows the brain to adapt more easily to new sounds.
Is It Normal for All Sounds to Seem Different While Wearing a Hearing Aid?
Yes, for people who have experienced hearing loss for a long time, everyday sounds may initially seem different or louder. Over time, the brain adapts to these sounds.
What Can I Do to Adapt to a Hearing Aid More Quickly?
Using the device regularly, starting in quiet environments and gradually moving to different sound environments, and following the audiologist’s recommendations can make the adaptation process easier.
What Should I Do If the Hearing Aid Causes Discomfort?
The device not fitting your ear properly or inappropriate settings may cause discomfort. In this case, rather than adjusting the device yourself, it is recommended to consult your hearing specialist.
Should a Hearing Aid Be Used Every Day?
Yes, using the hearing aid regularly every day both improves hearing performance and helps the brain adapt to sounds more quickly.
Can I Talk on the Phone with a Hearing Aid?
Yes, many modern hearing aids are compatible with phone calls. Some models can transmit the phone’s sound directly to the device through a Bluetooth connection.
Can the Hearing Aid Settings Be Changed Later?
Yes, hearing aid settings can be readjusted by an audiologist according to the user’s needs and adaptation process.
What Should I Pay Attention to While Using a Hearing Aid?
It is important to clean the device regularly, protect it from moisture, check its batteries or charging status, and have periodic maintenance performed.
What Should I Do If I Cannot Adapt to the Hearing Aid?
If you are having difficulty adapting, you should consult your hearing specialist. When necessary, the device settings can be readjusted, and recommendations can be provided to support the adaptation process.
