When you first start wearing hearing aids, you might experience a period of adjustment as your brain gets used to new sounds, even if you already used hearing aids before.
In general, things around you may sound louder than you remember, like the sound of rustling leaves, or water running in your sink. This is because your brain is adjusting to hearing certain pitches or frequencies again. So give yourself time to adjust. How much time? Everyone is a little different. It depends on your experience with hearing aids, the specifics of your hearing loss, and how often you wear your hearing aids. The more you wear them, the quicker you'll adapt.
What's normal to expect
- Loud sounds: You might notice that everyday sounds, like footsteps, running water, or crinkling paper are much louder. This is totally normal and will get better with time.
- Tiredness: You may feel a little tired because your brain is working harder to process all the new sounds. This is expected, and it will get easier with time.
- Awareness of your ear canal: It's normal to notice the hearing aids sitting in your ears and have a general awareness of the domes inside your ear canal. Awareness and mild itching are normal and should improve with time. See below for finding your best fit.
- Tinny, sharp, or “unnatural” sounds: The hearing aids might not sound exactly like what you remember before having hearing loss. This is also normal! It takes time to get used to hearing in a new way.
What's NOT normal to expect
- Pain
- Persistent itchiness
- Persistent soreness
- Persistent whistling or feedback
If you're experiencing any of these, it's usually related to the hearing aids not fitting well physically. A proper hearing aid fit not only ensures that your hearing aids are comfortable and stay in place, but it also has a big affect on sound quality. Learn more about how to find a comfortable fit and how to insert your hearing aids properly once you find your best fit. Keep in mind, we're here to support you every step of the way.