1. It takes time to adjust.
Patience is a virtue! You've probably heard this in the office and seen it elsewhere in "A Good Start," but it is true. Hearing loss often happens gradually over time without you noticing the change. Hearing aids bring back a lot of years - maybe even decades of decline - nearly instantly. You may be shocked by the sound of your own footsteps.
2. Remember: No one hears everything.
Your brain filters out unnecessary sounds. When you wear hearing aids for the first time, you rediscover what you can hear, but you also find out what is too soft to hear with normal hearing.
3. Protect your hearing aids when not in use.
Although a lot of time goes into making hearing aids able to stand up to a lot - your ears get warm and sweaty sometimes, they may fall on the floor and they need to stand up to a bit of wear and tear when you change batteries - it's important to store them in a safe place. Don't let children (or pets) play with them. Don't store them in a damp place (like a bathroom).
4. Reset your hearing to normal.
Once you have started to wear hearing aids, remember to turn down the volume on the TV. You may want to turn on closed captioning to retrain your brain. The car can seem especially noisy. In the beginning make sure you keep the car radio down (or turn it off). Ask people to speak a little softer, especially if they don't know.
5. Don't skip your follow-up appointments.
This is when our team can address any changes you need to your settings, adjust the volume (if needed) and remind you of how to clean your hearing aids.
6. Don't be shy about asking for help.
That's why we are here! We want to help you hear better and be successful in your journey.