So you’ve recently invested in hearing aids— congratulations! If you purchased Beltone hearing aids from one of our 1,500 nationwide locations, your hearing care professional will have told you a little about what to expect in the days and weeks ahead as you get used to wearing your new hearing equipment.

 

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind as you enjoy your ability to hear what matters the most.

 

 

 

Phase One: Getting Acclimated

Give yourself time to adjust

It takes time to adjust to a new hearing aid mentally and physically. At first, it may seem like you notice your hearing aids more frequently— perhaps a little tickle in the ear canal, or the strange perception of how you sound to yourself, which is known as the “occlusion effect.” Some people also report normal sounds such as chewing, swallowing and walking sound overly loud.

 

Don’t worry, these sensations are normal as you gradually become comfortable wearing your new hearing aids. If you’ve chosen a custom-fit style, it may take even longer to get used to having something in your ear.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

Climb the learning curve

Like with any new technology, you should expect a learning curve as you wear and adjust to your hearing aids. Give yourself permission to learn about your hearing aids without becoming overwhelmed or frustrated.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

 

 

Phase Two: Noticing New Sounds

Expect to be overwhelmed by sound

New hearing aid wearers are surprised by the forgotten sounds they can suddenly hear again. This will likely feel both exciting and exasperating. Birds chirping in the morning or church bells ringing in the distance may be an unexpected delight. At the same time, you might find the hum of the refrigerator unbearable or be startled by a slammed door.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

Don’t be distressed by sound confusion

Hearing loss warps true sound, and that distorted sound has most likely been your reality for many years. With your new hearing aids, your brain has begun receiving signals it was missing—and that can feel bewildering at first. The shrill sound of a phone ringing, your feet hitting the pavement during a walk, or the whir of your air conditioning unit coming online may suddenly seem loud relative to other sounds.

 

Your brain will need practice and re-education at focusing on and filtering out sounds. Eventually you’ll become better at recognizing sound directions and learning which hearing aid settings work best in different situations.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

 

 

Phase Three: Settling In

Let the hearing aids become your new normal

Hearing aids will help you hear better — but most likely not perfectly. The longer you have your hearing aids – and the more often you wear them – the more normal they’ll begin to feel to you. Soon you won’t remember what life was like without them.

 

Here's what you can do:

 

 

*Excluding Managed Care or Third Party contracts. If you purchase your hearing aids through a Managed Care or Third Party contract, Beltone offers service contracts for Belcare Coverage.