By George Hyland
There are many signs that you might be facing hearing loss (especially when you’re past 50), and people usually tend to seek an audiologist. Usually, after the series of hearing tests, you’ll get the results on how your health is. For some, this might mean having to wear hearing aids. Now, there’s nothing wrong with you, there’s nothing wrong with hearing aids, and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Actually, taking this step will improve your quality of life more than anything else. Honestly, transitioning to life with hearing aids can be both a relief and a challenge. However, there are more benefits to making this change than there are benefits. For example, there are plenty of rechargeable hearing aid advantages, so this isn’t going to inconvenience you or your routine in the slightest (especially since older-style hearing aids were known for short battery life).
While sure, the prospect of reconnecting with sounds you’ve been missing is exciting, it also brings a period of adjustment. Now adjustment doesn’t have to be bad whatsoever. It doesn’t even need to be inconvenient either. So, with all of that said, let's chat about how to make this transition smooth and help life feel normal again.
Adjusting to new sounds
It’s kind of hard to say when your hearing starts to decline, as this varies for everyone, and it’s so subtle at first that you don’t really notice it. When you first start wearing hearing aids, the world might seem startlingly loud. Everyday noises like the rustling of leaves or the hum of your refrigerator could feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that this heightened sensitivity is temporary.
So, just give yourself time to adjust. Your brain needs to relearn how to filter out background noise and focus on what’s important. It’s best to just try to spend time in different environments to help your brain adapt to various soundscapes. But overall, patience is key here; each day will bring you closer to feeling comfortable.
Start communicating with confidence
When your hearing declines, it usually means your social skills decline, too (which leads to a lack of confidence and isolation). So, one of the biggest advantages of hearing aids is the improvement in communication. You’ll want to start by practicing in comfortable, familiar settings. Emphasis on the word “comfortable” is important because you want to feel safe and supported. So, just let them know you’re adjusting to your hearing aids.
They’ll likely be more patient, which can make interactions less stressful. As you grow more confident, gradually expand to larger groups and noisier environments. Just remember, it’s perfectly okay to ask people to speak up or repeat themselves. Overall, clear communication is a two-way street, and most people are happy to help.
Embracing technology
Modern hearing aids come with a range of features designed to make your life easier. So, you’ll want to take time to learn about the different settings and adjustments. Usually, at your appointment, when you get the hearing aids, your audiologist will show you how to do everything. So, don’t hesitate to explore these features and find what works best for you.
You’ll have to stay active and social
So, this goes back to the confidence bit above. Just don’t let hearing aids hold you back from activities you love. You might feel self-conscious at first, but most people won’t even notice your hearing aids. And if they do, it’s often out of curiosity rather than judgment. Just think of it as a strength rather than some kind of weakness.
