Life With Hearing Aids: Creating Realistic Expectations

Health & Medical Blog

While hearing aids can improve the way you hear, they won't provide you with perfect hearing. Understanding the limitations of the technology and having realistic expectations can help you to create a positive lifelong relationship with your hearing aids. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for your new hearing devices.

Seek Hearing Aid Counseling First

Hearing aid counseling can help you to manage your expectations and give you information about what life with hearing aids will be like. Your hearing aid counselor can go over the limitations of hearing aids so you understand what sounds you may be able to hear with hearing devices and which may still be difficult for you. Understanding the results your hearing aids will provide can help to prevent any disappointment you might feel after turning on your hearing aids for the first time, and it can also get you excited about all the things you'll be able to hear for the very first time. Hearing aid counseling has been found in studies to provide some advantages for people getting hearing devices.

Sensory Overload

Your hearing aids will take some time to get used to. You may find that all of the new sounds you hear are too much to process at one time. This is perfectly normal, and you may find that easing into wearing your hearing aids every day is more beneficial. Talk to your audiologist and ENT specialist about the types of sounds you can expect your hearing aid to amplify so you can have a better idea of what new sounds you'll be hearing for the first time.

Self-Image

Hearing aids can improve your self-image and self-confidence in social settings by making it easier for you to hear and understand what is going on around you. You may find, however, that people react differently to you when you wear hearing aids. They may speak more slowly or more loudly, which is somewhat ironic since your hearing aids make it easier for you to hear people without them slowing down or speaking up. You might also feel embarrassed to wear them, particularly if you are younger, because hearing aids are associated with old age or disabilities. Discuss any issues you might be facing about your self-image and hearing aids with your hearing aid counselor, and remember that the benefits of hearing aids far outweigh what anyone might think about your appearance. 

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28 October 2015

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