start in Quiet, Familiar plaCes
At first, use your instruments only
in familiar, quiet surroundings,
where you can identify and locate
simple background sounds –
running water, doors closing, birds
singing – that you may not have
heard for awhile.
Other sounds, like your own voice,
will sound different. In the same
quiet environment, practice
listening to and conversing with
someone who is facing you, has a
familiar voice and understands
your needs.
Don’t be alarmed if you can’t
immediately understand
everything. A low, comfortable
volume level is preferable as you
adapt to the new sound quality,
even if you occasionally miss soft
sounds or parts of conversation.