Congratulations on starting hearing loss care! We’re thrilled to be your partners on this journey to help you reconnect with the world of sound.
We know you’re excited to feel the benefits of your new hearing aids. So are we! Let’s discuss what to expect right after starting hearing care and when you might start to notice improvements in hearing.
The First Few Days: Initial Shock
Really, you’re going to start noticing changes immediately after you put your hearing aids in for the first time. The sound amplification abilities of your new devices will go right to work, channeling sound waves into your inner ears at the levels that meet your needs.
For the first few days, this is going to feel like a deluge to your ears and brain, which may have grown a little “rusty” due to hearing loss. Sounds may seem too loud at first, but just know that they’re not; you’re simply getting reaccustomed to the way things sound. You may also notice that you’re more tired at the end of the day due to a phenomenon known as listening fatigue.
This phase of adjusting to new hearing aids can be long and frustrating for some people. We recommend taking it easy at this stage. Don’t put yourself in complex listening environments, such as concerts or noisy restaurants, and instead stay at home for a couple of days, getting used to the sounds of your daily life.
Week One: Familiarization
Once the initial shock of the first couple of days has passed, your brain will become more accustomed to sounds, especially the familiar sounds in your life, such as your loved ones’ voices and the sound of your footsteps as you move around. This is the stage where you can start rediscovering old sounds without feeling too overwhelmed, such as birdsong and music; however, noisy settings may still be overwhelming, and listening fatigue may persist.
Week Two and Three: Building Routine
Now we’re feeling more comfortable! Listening fatigue should be decreasing, sounds shouldn’t seem as loud or “tinny” anymore, and you should really be noticing improvements. Perhaps you’ve noticed that you feel more confident in conversations and comfortable with daily listening. Hopefully, at this point, you’re wearing your hearing aids for most of the day.
It’s also at this stage that you can start experimenting with your hearing aid volume and settings. See what works best in each environment and how you can adjust your hearing in the moment.
Week Four: Comfort
Usually, first-time hearing aid users feel fully accustomed to their devices at the four-week mark, and we hope you’ll notice the same. The trick is to wear them consistently and be patient with yourself through the adjustment period.
Now, you should really be noticing the improvements in your hearing, relearning sounds you’d forgotten and feeling more confident in social settings.
We Are Your Partners
We at M.K. Larson Audiology will be with you every step of the way through this adjustment process. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to check in on your progress, and you can always call us if you have questions between your appointments. Happy hearing!
