If you know what to expect from your hearing aids, you'll be free to enjoy the improvements they can make in your life. Hearing instruments are much like eyeglasses – they improve vision without curing the underlying reasons for vision loss. In the same way, hearing instruments are aids to better hearing but neither cure hearing loss nor restore perfect hearing. Each individual has unique experiences and a specific type and degree of hearing loss. It is important to have reasonable expectations to avoid the frustration that can come from expecting results that cannot be achieved.
Learn to enjoy those special sounds again
With your new hearing aids, learning to listen requires a period of adjustment and a measure of patience. Some people almost automatically adjust to hearing aids and appreciate the benefits offered by the hearing instrument right away. The majority of new hearing aid users need time to adjust to all the sounds they are now hearing. You may need to learn to ignore unwanted sounds, just as you did with normal hearing. It is also important to be realistic and not to expect 100 percent hearing in every situation. You will find that the longer you wear your hearing instrument, the more natural sounds and speech comprehension will become.
You may encounter some of the following occurrences during your adjustment period: