Step 4.

Set realistic expectations.

If your hearing was lost suddenly, or has been lost over time, you will not hear again like you once did with normal hearing. This is true regardless of the type of hearing loss you have or the type of hearing aid(s) you own. Similar to dentures, hearing aid(s) are only a substitute for the original – with them you may live a near-normal life; without them you will certainly be handicapped.

Focus on your improvement, not on those negative times when your hearing aid(s) don’t let you hear what you want to hear. If you become discouraged, refer to your AIDED and UNAIDED scores on your audiogram.

You may be achieving a significant percent of improvement over how well you would be hearing without hearing aid(s). Your ‘hearing aid(s)’ are designed to help you hear better, not perfectly.

The ‘tinny’ or mechanical sounds you hear are normal. These are the soft, high-pitched sounds you have been missing. Your hearing aids are giving these sounds back to you. This may be bothersome at first, but better understanding comes from letting you hear them. Be patient whilst your brain gets re-acquainted with these sounds.

Certain electronic adjustments may be made step-by-step over several weeks by one of our hearing aid dispensers to help your brain gradually become used to normal listening levels again. This may require several visits. These adjustmentsmay be made to your hearing aid(s) while you wait.

At first your voice may sound strange to you. In time, it will become more natural.

Background noise is normal. Normal-hearing people hear it too. Don’t give up on hearing aid(s) because noise bothers you. Better hearing will require you to put up with a few inconveniences. Hearing aids may not give instant gratification. Success comes from practise and a commitment to wear them all your waking hours. Stick with it. You will succeed. Part-time users may not receive the full benefit of hearing aid(s).

Should your hearing aids ever stop working, do not be alarmed. The environment in the ear canal is 100% humidity and remains a constant 98°F. These conditions may influence the electronics. But it is in this environment that hearing aid(s) must perform. You will need to bring them in for routine professional care.