16
17
Key #3 — Patience
New hearing aids can be a big adjustment. Your brain has to re-learn how to
hear and listen. After many years of not hearing well, it takes time and practice
to redevelop these skills. Medical studies show that your brain requires
approximately 21 days to adjust to your new Hearing Aids. During this time:
• You may initially notice lots of background sounds. These sounds
have always been a part of your environment. In time your brain will
re-learn how to process these sounds by prioritizing foreground over
background sounds.
• You may find that a quiet environment is more comfortable in the beginning
of the adjustment period.
• Your voice may sound too loud. This effect is very common for new
hearing aid users, but most people get used to it over time.
• You voice may also sound ‘plugged up’ or like you’re talking in a barrel.
This occlusion effect is normal. The sensation usually goes away in the
first few weeks.
• In noisy environments, you may find it easier to understand speech by
facing the speaker. Reading lips and observing facial expressions and
body language reinforce the sound communication.
•
It takes time for Hearing Aids to feel comfortable. For the quickest
acclamation we recommend wearing the Hearing Aids all day long.
If this becomes unbearable, try wearing them for 30 to 60 minutes a
day at first, and gradually extend the time that you wear them.
Using Hearing Aids takes practice and patience.
Some
people adjust very quickly and most adapt within a few
weeks. Please do not give up prematurely. A whole new
world of sound awaits you.
