Getting started with your new hearing aids:
Do I have to wear my hearing aids all the time?
How often should I change my hearing aid battery?
Do you have any tips for getting used to wearing hearing aids?
What are some common challenges when adjusting to hearing aids?
How do I connect my hearing aid to my iPhone?
Maintaining your new hearing aids:
Ear wax and your new hearing aids:
What if my hearing aids are plugged with wax?
Other questions about your new hearing aids:
Getting started with your new hearing aids:
How long does it take to get used to a hearing aid?
Generally, it takes most people approximately a month if the hearing aids are worn all day every day. However, it can take up to 3 months with all in the ear styles.
[Top of Page]Do I have to wear my hearing aids all the time?
Yes. To get the most benefit from your hearing aids and the best performance you MUST wear them all day every day. IF you only wear them “when [you] need them,” your brain will never truly get used to the hearing aids and they will always be a shock to the brain when you wear them.
[Top of Page]How often should I change my hearing aid battery?
Hearing aids have a built-in battery warning. Your hearing aids will alert you when the battery is low and needs to be changed or charged. For disposable batteries, this is approximately every 7 days. Another good way to check to see if they need to be changed is to scratch your head just above the hearing aid. If you can hear the scratch, you know it’s working. Rechargeable batteries are also available. The biggest benefit for many patients is that you don’t have to worry about changing a battery. As long as you remember to charge it when you go to sleep each night, it will always be ready to run in the morning. This makes it perfect for people with dexterity issues, as well.
[Top of Page]Do you have any tips for getting used to wearing hearing aids?
WEAR THEM! That is the biggest mistake that people make. They believe that they only have to wear them when they “need” them. This is inaccurate. They need to be worn all day every day. Also, to get over the hurdle of your own voice quality, you may want to practice reading out loud so that your brain can hear your voice.
[Top of Page]What are some common challenges when adjusting to hearing aids?
The hardest thing for patients to adjust to when they first start wearing hearing aids is the sound of their own voice. It may sound louder, strange, or you may hear an echo. For most patients, this takes about a week. However, if your voice still sounds odd when we see you for your first follow up at the 2 week mark, we can make adjustments to help with this. The other common challenge is that you will be hearing more sounds! It can be overwhelming to hear your clothes rustle and feet on the floor, but as your brain relearns those sounds, they will fade into the background like they used to.
[Top of Page]How do I connect my hearing aid to my iPhone?
There is a simple pairing process using either the Bluetooth or mFi settings in your phone depending on the hearing aid brand. As a convenience to our patients, we help you complete the pairing process.
[Top of Page]Maintaining your new hearing aids:
Are hearing aids difficult to maintain?
No. Most hearing aids now are so user friendly that our doctors of Audiology feel like they are forgetting something when walking you through care and maintenance. As a general rule, the hearing aids should be wiped off with a tissue or a soft cloth before you go to sleep at every night, then either opened to turn the aids off or placed in the charger (which will turn the aids off). On a daily basis, that’s all there is to it!
[Top of Page]How and when should I clean my hearing aids?
As a general rule, the hearing aids should be wiped off with a tissue or a soft cloth before you go to sleep at every night, then either opened to turn the aids off or placed in the charger (which will turn the aids off). On a daily basis, that’s all there is to it!
[Top of Page]Ear wax and your new hearing aids:
Can I prevent my hearing aids from being affected by earwax?
General daily maintenance can help prevent buildup. However, if a chunk or flake of wax gets into the filter, it will be necessary to change the filter.
[Top of Page]What if my hearing aids are plugged with wax?
Hearing aids have wax filters that can be changed by the patient at home. We teach all of our patients how to change these in their follow up appointments. However, if you have difficulty doing this, we can also help you and instruct you on how to change this in the office.
[Top of Page]Other questions about your new hearing aids:
What if my hearing aid irritates the skin in my ear?
Most hearing aids are made of hypoallergenic materials and with hypoallergenic coatings. In rare cases, irritation may occur. In that case, our doctors of Audiology will work with you to find a comfortable solution.
[Top of Page]Why do my hearing aids whistle?
There are a few reasons that hearing aids whistle. First, when you cup the hearing aid, it forces sound that leaks out of the ear back into the hearing aid, where it is amplified again. This will happen with all hearing aids. It is even more common if a hearing aid is turned up to its maximum volume levels. Second, the hearing aid is not sitting or fitting appropriately in the ear. This is an issue that can be addressed by our doctors of Audiology. Third, you have a wax impaction in your ear canal. In this case, the sound is unable to get to the ear drum and it bounces off of the ear wax. This creates a whistle.
[Top of Page]Why does my voice sound strange while wearing my new hearing aids?
There a couple of reasons for that. The first is that you hear yourself back through the hearing aid. This can sometimes create the sensation of an echo. Second, since your voice is also being amplified through the hearing aid instead of just in your bones in your head, you hear more of your voice and it may sound odd. The more you use your voice, the faster your brain will get used to hearing yourself in this new way.
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