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Remember, learning to use hearing aids requires a period of adjustment.
It is, therefore, important that the person being fitted with hearing aids guard against 'auditory shock' by understanding the stages that must be traveled, step by step, in relearning to hear.
Everyone's hearing is different and the progress in this listening schedule will vary between people. Therefore, the reactions of other persons in learning to use their hearing aids doesn't mean anything in predicting how you will do.
If your hearing impairment is mild or fairly recent, you may be delighted with your hearing aids almost from the very beginning. Adjustment may not take long, and can often be accelerated.
On the other hand, if your hearing impairment developed gradually over a longer time period, the reduction or absence of sound may have become a part of your everyday listening, and the adjustment period may take longer.
Adjustment will also depend on the type of hearing impairment you have, special problems you may have, or whether or not you have ever worn hearing aids before.
If you do not practice with your hearing aids, you cannot expect them to work for you.
Initial Adjustment Period
By the end of this initial adjustment period, the benefits will be, in the simplest terms, a return to a more normal life-style. Still, for best hearing, at times you may have to turn your head a little, tilt it, or adjust a control on the hearing aids - all which will appear to others as nothing more than a natural motion.
First day
Do not wear your hearing aids when you are tired or nervous.
* Sit down and relax.
* Make sure the hearing aids are turned off.
* Insert the battery (if not already done so), after insuring that the battery
is good.
* Looking in a mirror (preferably seated and on a carpet covered floor in case
you accidentally drop your aids), put the hearing aids on as demonstrated by
your dispenser.
* Turn the hearing aids on, and adjust the volume slowly until you reach the
lowest comfortable listening level, or allow the aids to self-adjust the volume
if that is what they are intended to do.
* Listen to the sounds around you. Check their identification by tracing them
to their source. By becoming familiar with the different sounds around you,
it becomes possible to disregard them more easily when later you are engaged
in a conversation. These sounds will become less bothersome.
Repeat this exercise until you can clearly distinguish the various types of sounds (i.e., the refrigerator, water running, fans, footsteps, etc.)
* Wear the aids for the time limit indicated
on the previous page, unless they cause discomfort. If the discomfort
is physical, contact your dispenser at your earliest convenience.
If the discomfort is due to the quality of the sound, do the following:
Turn the volume controls down slightly, if possible.
Try the hearing aids again after a 1-hour rest.
* Adjust the volume controls to get used to both soft and louder levels if
the hearing aids allow this.
* It is not advisable to wear the aids in noisy places and crowds until these
first steps are accomplished.
Make Haste Slowly!
Unrestricted use of these hearing aids should not be attempted before the date specified by your hearing aid dispenser, unless your progress and satisfaction is such that your schedule is approved for advancement.
Your speed in reaching unrestricted use will depend mostly on your impairment. However, your ultimate success - and this is of the greatest importance - will depend on your patience and cooperation. Solid progress is important. Speed alone could spell defeat!
Contact Mark Glassman, and the team at Glassman's Hearing Aid Service.
Glassman's Hearing Aid Service
Omaha
3015 N 90th St
Ph. 402-571-1207
Fremont
33 W 6th
Ph. 402-727-7866
"My wife
appreciates my hearing aids as much as I do. She claims it has helped my
disposition. I know hearing aids have helped me enjoy my family and
friends."
Chris Gutschow, Fremont, NE