How to Make Hearing Aids More Comfortable

Modern hearing aids tend to be pretty comfortable for most people, but some individuals who need to wear them find that they can cause a little discomfort, especially when they’re new. The good news is, there are lots of things that can be done to make hearing aids more comfortable.

It takes time to adjust

Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that if you’re new to wearing hearing aids or you’ve just bought a new hearing aid and you’re finding it uncomfortable, it could just be that you need time to adjust to having the device on.

When wearing hearing aids, there are two distinct adjustment periods – adjusting to the improved clarity of sound and adjusting to the feel of the hearing aid. Let’s take a look at them both below.

Adjusting to improved sound quality

A lot of people who are used to having some degree of hearing impairment find it difficult to suddenly be able to hear things with crystal clarity. Not only are sounds louder, but there are more of them and they are clearer than expected. This can be pretty distracting, but the good news is that your brain will soon adjust and being able to hear so well will become your new normal.

Adjusting to the feel of hearing aids

Adjusting to the way hearing aids feel can be tricky, but most audiologists suggest that you take things slow and gradually while wearing your hearing aids, with break periods as and when necessary, so you can get used to the way they feel and become comfortable with them. It’s important, though, to note that although hearing aids can be uncomfortable, they should not cause you pain, and if they do, you should speak to your audiologist about an adjustment as soon as possible, Hearing aids are meant to enhance your life, not make it more difficult and a hearing aid that causes you pain is something you need to deal with immediately.

Take it slow

As we mentioned above, it’s worth taking a gradual approach to hearing aid use. There is no reason why you should need to wear your hearing aids 24/7 at the beginning and giving yourself a break from tie to time will allow you to get used to them without irritating you so much. You should ask your audiologist how long you need to wear yours each day, but as a rough guide, anything from one to two hours should be fine when you’re just getting started, then you can increase the frequency as and when you feel ready.

Adjust the fit

A lot of people think that once their hearing aids have been fitted by a professional that’s it, but it really does not have to be the case. Any audiologist worth their salt will be more than happy to check your fit and have you back for as many hearing aid adjustments as you need to feel comfortable with your devices.

If you really struggle to feel comfortable with the fit of your hearing aids, you may want to consider having a device custom-made to your exact requirements. This is a service more and more audiologists are offering and it can make a great difference.

Play around with the settings

If you’re struggling to adjust to the way the world sounds with your hearing aids in it’s worth playing around with the settings until you hit the optimal results for you. Changing the sound levels depending on whether you’re watching a movie, listening to music or talking with friends can dramatically change the way you hear and how comfortable you feel, but it may take a little trial and error to find your own ideal. Persevere and once you know your optimum setting for each situation, using your hearing aids will be a lot more comfortable.

Comfort is possible

Hearing aids can be comfortable, in fact, you can get to the point where you don’t even know you are using them. It just takes a few adjustments from a good audiologist and a bit of experimenting on your part, so don’t give up!

Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center specializes in providing high-quality hearing loss solutions for every individual. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable audiologist to help you with your hearing aids, give us a call at Tarentum: (724) 409-4439 or Vandergrift: (724) 567-3233 today.