Adapting to new hearing aids can be a journey of rediscovery in how you experience the world around you. Approximately 28 million U.S. adults could benefit from these devices, which amplify important sounds and reduce unwanted background noise. When you first start using hearing aids, everyday noises might seem unusually loud or even intrusive. To make this adjustment period more comfortable, look at our list of activities to help ease you into your hearing aids.
Helpful Activities To Enjoy Your Hearing Aids
A few activities to help you enjoy your new hearing aids include:
- Visit a local park. Embrace the outdoors by spending time in Sylvania Park. The natural sounds of rustling leaves, gentle winds and chirping birds offer a soothing background that can help you get accustomed to your hearing aids. The openness of a park environment also allows for controlled exposure to sounds, helping you adjust at your own pace.
- Enjoy clear phone calls. Hearing loss can make phone conversations difficult due to poor connections and an absence of visual cues. With your new hearing aids—especially models with Bluetooth® connectivity—you can experience calls with improved clarity. Try phoning a friend and enjoy the conversation as their voice is directly streamed to your ears. This exercise will demonstrate the functional advantages of your hearing aids in real-time communication.
- Take a scenic drive. A scenic drive provides an excellent opportunity to test your hearing aids. Whether it’s the hum of the engine, your favorite tunes or the whoosh of air as you roll down the windows, these sounds can become a comforting part of the experience, helping you adjust to the new auditory input without feeling overwhelmed.
- Dine out. Previously, dining in noisy environments might have been challenging. Now, with the improved speech recognition and noise suppression features of your hearing aids, you can enjoy engaging conversations over dinner. Select a familiar restaurant and invite a few friends for a relaxed meal where you can practice focusing on dialogue amidst the hustle and bustle.
When Should You Remove Your Devices?
While consistency is crucial in adapting to your hearing aids, your comfort is equally important. Should you feel fatigued or overwhelmed, allow short breaks from the devices. Periodic breaks of 15 to 30 minutes can help prevent sensory overload and contribute to a more positive adjustment process.
In addition to taking short breaks, remove your devices when showering, swimming and sleeping to help prevent damage.
The process of getting comfortable with your hearing aids is a gradual one, but the improved communication and connection with your surroundings that they provide are invaluable. To learn more about how hearing aids can improve quality of life, contact Nelson Hearing Clinics to make an appointment with one of our specialists.