Everyone new to hearing aids always asks the same question: what is it really like to use them? As you can appreciate, using hearing aids for the first time can feel like an alien concept, similar to when someone wears a pair of eyeglasses for the first time in their life.

What do they feel like to wear? How much louder do they make the world? What things do you need to think about when you start using hearing aids? Those are just some of the many questions people ask or ponder. The following describes what it’s like to use hearing aids:

There is a Period of Adjustment

If your audiologist tests your hearing and determines that you need hearing aids, you will go through a process of selecting the best ones that meet your needs. But, it’s not until you start wearing them for the first time that you notice one thing: there’s a period of adjustment.

It’s the same as what you might experience when you get new clothes or shoes. You’re very “aware” that you’re using hearing aids, but you’ll get used to hearing new sounds and people’s voices more clearly.

You’ll Quickly Get Used to Hearing Aids

Another point to keep in mind when you start wearing hearing aids is the above period of adjustment isn’t a long one, and one could argue that it takes about the same length of time as wearing new eyeglasses or having a change of prescription.

Your brain will adapt to hearing aids and start processing new sounds and noises, plus it’ll also learn how to distinguish between the different ones.

People Might Not Know You’re Using Them

Did you know that many types of hearing aids exist on the market? When you review hearing aid options with an audiologist, you’ll find there are several types and models available for selection.

Thanks to advances in hearing aid technology, most hearing aids are virtually indistinguishable when they get used. Most people cannot easily tell if a person is wearing hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids are very small, making them discreet and easy to conceal.

You’ll Have Better Sound Clarity

Perhaps the most significant change you’ll notice if you experience hearing loss and start using hearing aids is that you’ll enjoy better sound clarity. While hearing aids aren’t a cure for hearing loss, they significantly improve a person’s hearing by amplifying the sounds around them. You can once again enjoy sounds like birds singing in the morning or the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Some people are understandably overcome with emotion when they first start using hearing aids. That’s because they now have the chance to hear all of life’s little sounds and noises.

They’ll Soon Become an Easy Part of Your Life

There’s a common misconception among some people new to hearing aids that using them will mean making many changes in their lives. The truth is, they will become an easy part of anyone’s life. If you start using hearing aids, they will soon form part of your daily routine, much like brushing your teeth or getting dressed in the morning. There are no long, drawn-out processes or procedures to using hearing aids.

You’ll Need to Remember You’re Using Them

There’s no denying that modern hearing aids are very advanced and offer numerous benefits to those that use them. But, when you start using hearing aids, you need to keep in mind that fact in certain situations.

For example, you need to remove them if you’re going to have a shower or go swimming, but they will be fine to use if you’re walking outdoors and it starts raining as most hearing aids are IP68-rated. Another thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that you’ll have to recharge the batteries in your hearing aids every so often. Usually, an audible beep can be heard from them when the batteries are low.

Eating Certain Foods Can Be Noisy

Lastly, you’ll discover that your increased hearing clarity will mean that eating some crunchy foods can be quite noisy. For instance, if you eat some potato chips or chew on something like nuts, the sounds entering your ears can be pretty loud at times.

Using hearing aids for the first time is undoubtedly a new experience that takes some getting used to. If you’d like to discuss your hearing loss concerns with an audiologist, contact Sommerville Audiology & Hearing Aid Center on 586-298-3788.