Audiologists from JHBI recommend thorough research, consistent practice and patience
For those with hearing loss, the proper use of a hearing aid can allow easier participation in the most basic daily activities. Hearing aids do not restore totally normal hearing, but with patience and practice they can make communication much easier for you as well as for your friends and family.
Learning to wear a hearing aid requires a period of adjustment. The length of adjustment depends on a number of factors, including how long a you have had hearing loss, how much loss has occurred, and how willing you are to make the necessary effort in order to succeed.
Here are a few things to remember about a new hearing aid:
- It’s ok to ask people to repeat themselves.
- There might be some slight tenderness in the ear and/or ear canal at first. This should go away, but if any soreness, redness or scabbing persists, report it to your doctor.
- Speak normally. It does not sound different to other people, even though it sounds amplified in your head.
- Wear the hearing aid as much as is comfortable. Gradually increase the wearing time, and by the end of two or three weeks, the hearing aid should be wearable for eight to ten hours per day.
Find a trustworthy, knowledgeable person to fit and maintain a hearing aid that is a good brand, price and fit. New technology allows the hearing aid to monitor the environment and automatically adjust according to your hearing loss and listening needs. At Jacksonville Hearing and Balance Institute, our audiologists will ensure that you receive quality care and treatment.