Hearing Aid Adjustment Period: What to Expect

Adjusting a new hearing aid is a journey that transforms the auditory experience, but it takes time to process and modify for your ear and brain to adapt to the new sound. This can take some time and require patience and proper support. At the Meenakshi Speech and Hearing Clinic, we are here to guide you through this process, ensuring you experience the full benefits of your new hearing aids. In this blog, we can guide you on hearing aid adjustment and how to adapt to the latest hearing aids and fitting process.

What is the Hearing Aid Adjustment Period?

The hearing aid adjustment period refers to taking time for every individual to adjust to wearing and using their hearing aid comfortably. This period varies from person to person or age, but it takes place between a few weeks and a month. During this time, your brain is learning to process the sound and sometimes is not hearing properly. Don’t panic; it’s normal to feel discomfort or unfamiliarity.

Adapting to Hearing Aids: The First Few Days

When you first start wearing a hearing aid, you might notice the sounds can feel a bit overwhelming. Everyday noises like the hum of your refrigerator or the rustle of paper may seem louder or sharper than you remember. This is because your brain is rediscovering how to process these sounds, and it needs time to adjust. Here is what you can expect during the early days of adapting to hearing aids:

Sounds might seem too loud: As your brain adjusts to hearing at a normal level again, it may feel like everything is amplified. This is temporary and will subside your brain to reprogram itself.

Voice sounds may seem different: If you notice that when you speak, the sound is different, which is normal. Your hearing professional can make adjustments to reduce this effect if it becomes bothersome.

Background noise might be distracting: It may take time to focus on the sound you want to hear while filtering out background noise. Practice in different environments, which helps to improve the sound.

Feedback and Whistling: Some users may experience the feedback and whistling sound in their hearing aids. This is usually due to poor fit or improper insertion. Your audiologist can help you adjust the fit to eliminate the other issue.

Improving Speech Recognition: One of the main benefits of hearing aids is improved speech recognition. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for your brain to fully adapt and for you to notice significant improvement. Patience is key.
Regular Follow-up: Your audiologist will likely schedule follow-up appointments to fine-tune your hearing aids. These adjustments are crucial for ensuring your device works properly, benefits your hearing loss, and you enjoy your life.

Hearing Aid Fitting Process

The hearing aid fitting process is a vital step in ensuring that your hearing aids are tailored to your specific hearing needs. It is not only for fitting in your ear, but it also works functionally and for proper wearing.

Hearing Evaluation: The fitting starts with a comprehensive hearing test, which is conducted by the audiologist. This test includes a range of tests to determine the degree of your hearing loss. The result will help the audiologist select an appropriate hearing aid model and technology level that best suits your lifestyle and auditory needs.

Choosing the Right Hearing Aid: Based on your hearing test, your audiologist will recommend a hearing aid that fits your needs. Hearing aids are various in style, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and completely-in-canal (CIC) models, each offering different benefits. These types of hearing aids depend upon your hearing loss, your daily activity, and even your aesthetic preferences.

Custom Ear Molds: Many hearing aids come with custom ear molds, which are required to ensure a delightful and comfortable fit. An impression of your ear canal is taken to create these molds. Properly fitted ear molds help prevent feedback and improve the sound quality.

Programming and Fine-Tuning: Once your hearing aids are ready, your audiologist will program to meet your specific hearing loss profile. Advanced hearing aids can be fine-tuned with clearer sound or frequency than others for a more personalized hearing experience. This programming is critical but may require a follow-up appointment to adjust settings based on your requirements.

Inserting the Hearing Aids: During the fitting appointment, your audiologist will guide you on how to insert or remove the hearing aid devices. Proper insert is essential for comfort and to maximize the sound quality. It’s most important to know how to remove the battery and which time can change the hearing aid.

Real-Ear Measurements: To ensure that your hearing aids work properly and have the correct amplification, your audiologist performs real-ear measurements. This places a tiny microphone in your ear canal while you wear the hearing aids, allowing the audiologist to verify the sound output is at a proper level for your hearing loss.

Tips for Smooth Adjustment

Stay calm: When you wear a first-time hearing aid, it takes a few weeks to adjust and wear it for a few hours in a day; after that, you increase the hour by dailThenhan after you become comfortable.
Practice in a silent environment: Be using your hearing aid in a silent environment before tracking more complex, noisy environments. This helps your brain adjust more gradually.

Stay Patient and Positive: It’s most important to adjust yourself because sometimes processes can be frustrating, but persistence will pay off.

Keep Notes: Maintaining a journal experience can be incredibly helpful in a follow-up visit. If you have any difficulties, discomforts, or successes with your experience when you wear a hearing aid, share information with your audiologist.

Conclusion

The hearing aid adjustment time is an important phase in your journey to better hearing. With the help of an audiologist, patience, and persistence to adapt the hearing aid. Embrace the process, and soon you’ll experience the full benefits of clear sound. At Meenakshi Speech and Hearing Clinic, we understand that the hearing aid adjustment period can be challenging, but we are here to come to support you step by step. By following the guidance provided and maintaining regular contact with an audiologist, adapting the hearing aid becomes easier and more natural.