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Getting new prescription hearing aids? What to expect day 1, week 1 and month 1
Hearing aids take some getting used to at first. Learn some expert tips on making the transition easier.
Maybe you’ve been having trouble hearing conversations, the TV and phone calls for months now (or even years). But you’ve finally had a comprehensive hearing exam and you’re getting hearing aids. First of all, congratulations. These devices may help people hear more sounds in everyday life.1
Hearing aids are tiny sound systems. They work by magnifying the sounds that enter your ear. Then cells convert those sound waves into signals that they send to the brain.1 The brain processes these signals and identifies the sound.
But your brain will have to get used to the new sounds coming through the hearing aids.2 That’s why it makes sense to prepare yourself for a period of adjustment.
Just rest assured that this is normal. Your hearing care professional will help you fine-tune the hearing aids and show you how to put them in and take them out. And they’re available to troubleshoot. AARP® members get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost through AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing.
In the meantime, find out what to expect during the first day, week and month of your new life with hearing aids.
Day 1: Getting used to new sounds
The first day with hearing aids is usually the hardest. You’re getting used to how they work and sound. Here’s what to expect:
Things may seem extra loud. “Everyday noises and sounds will be different,” says Shea DeNoia, Au.D. She’s an audiologist and owner of Ambrose Hearing Center in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Know that this is normal. “I always tell my patients to give it 24 to 48 hours to adjust.”
Your voice might sound odd. Even your own voice may sound louder inside your head. This is known as the “occlusion affect,” according to the National Insititute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.1 It’s common in new hearing-aid wearers. Your hearing care professional may be able to make an adjustment right in the office to help. But most people get used to this with time.
You might notice new sounds. You’ll also get familiar with sounds you may not have been hearing well before. “The most common hearing loss I see, especially due to age, is high-frequency hearing loss,” says DeNoia. “When a high-frequency hearing loss is corrected, you might feel like everything sounds a little tinny.”
Those high-frequency sounds might include everything from your car’s blinker to the microwave’s beep to birds chirping. It can also include background noises, like sneakers squeaking on the wood floor or the sound of your keyboard clacking.
“When you start wearing hearing aids, your brain is just hyperactive to all the sounds around you,” says DeNoia. “It’s going to take a little bit of time for your brain to be like, ‘I know what that is now.’”
Keep in mind: These issues may affect you if this is your first pair of hearing aids. Or if you upgrade to a newer, higher-tech pair. Eventually though, your brain will get used to those sounds. So be patient on the first day.
During your fitting, your hearing care professional can show you how to adjust the volume for sounds that are too loud or soft.1 This may be helpful for when you get home.
Week 1: Getting into a routine
During the first week, your new hearing aids should begin to feel like part of your routine. Wear them all day to help yourself adjust.1 Keep them on in the house, when you’re doing errands, and when you’re at work, the gym and social events.
Wearing them in both quiet and louder environments will help you build a tolerance to everyday sounds, according to the Cleveland Clinic.3 Here are some tips to help you get used to them this week:
Practice putting your hearing aids in and taking them out. It may take some time to get the hang of it. Many of DeNoia’s patients find this to be the hardest part. “I tell them not to get frustrated by that.”
Learn how to clean and store them. Hearing aids can pick up earwax and other debris. You’ll want to store them away from heat and moisture.1 Follow the cleaning instructions that come with your hearing aids. Afterward, you can wipe them gently with a clean microfiber cloth to dry them each night, according to the National Council on Aging.4 And don’t be shy about calling your hearing care professional to go over all this with you.
Get used to recharging the battery. Most new hearing aids are powered by rechargeable batteries rather the disposable ones.5 If yours are rechargeable, you’ll need to charge them each night, just like you do with your phone. It’s a good idea to charge all your devices in one place, such as the kitchen counter, so you don’t forget.
If your hearing aids have tiny button batteries, you will have to replace them regularly. Try putting a reminder on your phone or writing it on your calendar.
Lean on loved ones. Ask family members and friends for support. They may be able to help you get used to your hearing aids by facing you as they speak or slowing down their speech.
After you’ve gotten used to hearing well at home, try them in public. Invite friends or family to hang with you at a coffee shop or a restaurant to see how well you hear in a noisier setting.
Good to know: You should call your hearing care professional if your hearing aids hurt after a few days of wear. “If it’s painful or you feel like you’re getting a sore in your ear, definitely come back in,” says DeNoia. “There are so many options, and audiologists can help you find a more comfortable fit.”
Did you know that you may be able to get a no-cost hearing exam and consultation through AARP Hearing Solutions? Learn more.
Month 1: Tuning up your hearing aids
The end of the first month is a great time for a follow-up visit. Why? Because by now your brain has gotten used to hearing things in different environments. Of course, that’s assuming you’ve been wearing your hearing aids regularly. That’s a key part of the process.
“We can adjust at any time, but the 1-month mark is a good time to clear up any problems from the initial fit,” says DeNoia.
Write down anything you’re experiencing, good or bad. Bring those notes to your hearing care professional at your follow-up appointment. Even if some things have resolved on their own, this is helpful information for your hearing care professional to have on hand.
And congratulate yourself on taking care of your hearing health. You can feel good that you’ve taken a big step toward hearing well — getting the right pair of hearing aids and wearing them consistently.
Sources
- Hearing aids National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Last updated October 11, 2022.
- The top benefits of using hearing aids National Council on Aging. Published October 20, 2023.
- 6 tips for getting used to your new hearing aids Cleveland Clinic. Published July 20, 2022.
- Our guide to keeping your hearing aids clean National Council on Aging. Published January 25, 2024.
- Types of hearing aids Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed September 12, 2022.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.
Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.
