AN INTRODUCTION TO HEARING AIDS FOR BEGINNERS
Step into a world where sounds come back to life. For those who are wearing a hearing aid for the first time, a new reality opens up. But with these sounds also comes an adjustment period. Discover what to expect and how this can lead to clearer hearing and more engagement with the world around you.
Wearing a hearing aid for the first time
Hearing loss can be a challenging experience, but fortunately, modern hearing aids offer an effective solution. For people wearing a hearing aid for the first time, a new world of sound may open up. But it can also mean a period of adjustment.
Most importantly: learn to adapt
One of the first things people notice when they wear a hearing aid for the first time is the abundance of sounds they have not heard before or that sounded different before. From the rustling of leaves in the wind to the ticking of a clock, it can be overwhelming to suddenly hear so many new sounds. This can lead to confusion or even frustration at first.
It is important to remember that it takes time to get used to these new sounds. Just like wearing a new pair of glasses, the brain needs time to adjust to the changes. It can help to initially set the devices to a lower volume and gradually increase the time you wear them each day until you get used to the new sounds. This can sometimes take up to three months. Of course, this varies from person to person. Our audiologists always adjust your hearing aids so that you can gradually get used to them in the coming months. It is important that you are open to the learning process of getting used to sounds.
A few benefits
You will gradually notice that you can understand people better with less effort in noisy situations. Just as you no longer have to turn up the TV volume to hear it properly. Conversation partners also no longer get frustrated because they no longer have to repeat everything.
What we recommend is to learn what is possible with your hearing aid. There are programs and apps that can help you customize your ideal hearing. Once you understand how these apps and programs work, you will surely be pleasantly surprised.
An interview with an expert by experience
To gain more insight into what people can expect when wearing a hearing aid for the first time, we spoke with Marijn, an expert in this field. Marijn has been an audiologist for over 13 years and is also hard of hearing.
Question: What can people expect when they wear a hearing aid for the first time? Marijn: Everyone reacts differently to a hearing aid; it is very difficult to predict how someone will react to a hearing aid. Most customers are mainly shocked by their own voice at the beginning; it sounds a bit strange. You can compare it to when you hear your own voice in an audio message; then your own voice also sounds a bit strange.
Question: What was your first impression when you wore a hearing aid for the first time?
Marijn: I was 4 years old when I got my first hearing aids, so I don't remember much myself. What I do remember is when I was 9 and got my second set of hearing aids, I heard a bird sing for the first time. I knew birds could make sounds, but I had not heard it myself before.
Question: Do you have any tips for people who are wearing a hearing aid for the first time?
Marijn: A hearing aid is and remains an aid; a hearing aid can really make an improvement but is not yet able to compensate for hearing loss to zero. If you start using hearing aids with too high expectations, it can be very disappointing.
Need advice?
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