Congratulations on your new hearing aids! The hearing care professionals at Beltone's 1,500 nationwide locations want to help you hear what matters the most to you, so if you have any questions about your new equipment, don't hesitate to reach out to us. In fact, Beltone stands behind our hearing aids via our Belcare™ program of ongoing support and protection for the life of their hearing aids.
Below we've listed some tips for new wearers of hearing aids, so that you can get the most out of your equipment.
Know that it will take time to adjust to your hearing aids. Your new hearing aids are a new addition to your everyday life, and they'll require both mental and physical adjustments. Be patient! Ultimately, the benefits of hearing aids will far outweigh the challenges you'll face as a new wearer of them.
Tip - Commit to wearing your hearing aids every day, even if you're only wearing them for an hour or two at a time. Take notes and be sure to tell your Beltone hearing care professional about what you’re feeling during your first follow-up visit, so you can have them professionally adjusted.
Expect some sound confusion at first. When you wear your new hearing aids, you will hear lots of sounds all at once. Even if the hearing aid volume is set just right, these ambient sounds can be slightly jarring because your brain has forgotten how to process them. It typically takes some time before your brain learns how to filter various ambient sounds.
Tip - Try wearing your new hearing aids for an hour at a time, several times a day, and in different listening situations. To begin with, only wear your hearing aids at home - read aloud to yourself, watch TV, or listen to soft music. When you're ready to leave the house with your new hearing aids, avoid overly noisy places. Eventually you'll feel comfortable wearing your hearing aids on the street or in a restaurant, and you can adjust the settings to different levels of background noise.
Climb the technology learning curve. As with any new technological device, you may need a little time to become comfortable operating your hearing aids. Be proactive in educating yourself on how they work so you can set them up and adjust them as needed.
Tip - Watch our how-to videos to learn how to set up and use your Beltone smartphone app. Reach out to your Beltone hearing care professional to set up a follow-up appointment if you’re confused or have any questions. Or reach out to our patient care representatives by calling 1-800-BELTONE.
Occlusion effect. When you put on hearing aids for the first time, your voice may sound louder than you’re used to, or you may hear an echo when you speak. You may also notice internal sounds, such as chewing or swallowing, or have trouble adjusting the volume of your voice.
Tip - Family or friends can help you strike the right balance so you'll know how you sound in conversations. Practice speaking aloud to one or two people in a quiet environment at home before engaging in large group conversations. If you continue to notice the echo of your own voice, get your hearing aids adjusted until it sounds right.
Skin sensitivity around the ear. You may notice the feeling of your hearing aid in or around your ear. There may even be a slight tenderness for a week or so. Under no circumstances should hearing aids be painful, but it can usually take some time to get used to the physical sensation of the device.
Tip - Commit to wearing your hearing aid every day, even if only for an hour. The more you wear the device, the easier it will become to ignore these physical sensations. And be sure to mention your need for an adjustment during your first follow-up appointment.
We are here to help anytime. If you are struggling to get used to your new hearing aids, schedule an appointment to check in with your hearing care professional.
