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Eight steps towards better hearing
You need to get used to your new hearing instrument. Sounds seem
new and different. That is because you grew accustomed to your
diminished hearing. Therefore, familiar sounds seem strange or
unnatural at first. Every first-time user of a hearing instrument
responds differently to this. Some can wear the new instrument a
whole day right from the start while others find it hard to get used
to.
After a while, you will notice you appreciate hearing with a hearing
instrument and that you will find it quite normal. Below, eight steps
are described that will guide you through the initial period. If you are
not satisfied or keep experiencing problems, please consult your
hearing care practitioner.
1. Get used to familiar sounds at home
Try to get used to the new sounds from a familiar environment.
Listen to the different (background) sounds and try to recognise
them. When you are tired from listen ing, remove your instrument
and pause for a while. Talk or read aloud for a while. In that way you
will familiarise yourself with the sound of your own voice. Gradually,
you will learn to use the instrument for longer and become more
comfortable with it.
2. Listen outside - quiet & traffic
Go outside, to a quiet place, e.g., the park or woods. Listen to the
environmental sounds. Do you recognise them?
Please, be careful with sounds from heavy traffic at this stage of
getting used to your instrument. Sometimes they sound very loud;
try not to get frightened.
3. Have a conversation with a single person
Use your instrument in conversation with one person; a family
member or a friend. Move to a quiet spot. Explain that you are
now wearing a hearing instrument; ask the other person to talk nor-
mally. Look at your conversation partner. If your instrument is tuned
to your requirements you will be able to communicate better than
before.
4. Listen to radio or television
Listen to the radio or television. Start with the news, then turn
to another program. Ask a ‘normal hearing’ person to set the
volume of your radio or television to a comfortable level. If
necessary, adjust the volume on your hearing instrument.
If you cannot understand the radio or television, ask your hearing
care practitioner to adjust your hearing instrument. He or she is
able to inform you on other facilities such as an induction loop at
home for radio or television.
5. Get used to conversation in a group
Following conversations in a group is often difficult because
of the background noise. Listen to the different voices. Try to
recognise them by timbre or rhythm and link each voice to
a person. Focus your attention on the person you want to under-
stand. Practice this regularly. If you did not understand something
that was said, please ask for it to be repeated.
Ensure that you can see the face of your conversation partner(s)
clearly and that there is sufficient light. This will help you to lip-read.
Avoid ‘looking into the light,’ position yourself with your back towards
the window so that you can see the other person(s) better.
Ask others to talk slowly and clearly. Talking louder does not help.
