26
start in quiet, familiar places
At first, use your instruments
only in familiar, quiet surround-
ings, 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 con-
versing 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.
