How to Make Hearing Aids More Comfortable

When you get hearing aids for the first time, it can feel like a big change to your lifestyle. Most of this change is overwhelmingly positive. For the first time in years, you may be able to watch your favorite TV shows without straining your ears or hear your family members properly over dinner or even listen to music and hear all the different levels of sound. This can be overwhelming, but you will soon adjust to your new abilities and start to enjoy every aspect of your life as fully as possible.

However, there are cases when this period of excitement can be colored by other factors. One of the main factors at play is the comfort of your hearing aids themselves. It can be very disappointing, once you have gone through all your tests, fittings and found a hearing aid that works for you, to leave your audiologist and start to realize that your hearing aid isn’t as comfortable as you thought. 

Perhaps it starts to hurt your ear after wearing it for too long, or it simply irritates you or you cannot get used to the different quality of sound. Whatever your issue, finding your hearing aids uncomfortable can be a stressful experience. Luckily, there are many hearing aid options available that will help you solve your problem with as little effort as possible. Then, you can move forward with comfort as you adjust to life with hearing aids.

Getting the right fit

First, it’s important to check that your hearing aids have been correctly fitted to the shape of your ear. This could be the cause of any physical discomfort your hearing aid is causing, and it is easily resolved by a visit to your audiologist. As you go through the process of receiving your hearing aid, you will have meetings with an audiologist to discuss the size and type of hearing aid you will require. 

These meetings will also involve a fitting service. However, it’s always worth attending follow-up visits to adjust the hearing aid over time, so you can ensure they remain perfectly fitted and unlikely to cause any discomfort.

Practice and longevity

Wearing a hearing aid for the first time can often feel like a massive change, and it will take time to get used to. Anyone who has ever worn glasses will know how it can take several months to get used to the feeling and weight of them upon your nose, which can feel uncomfortable – however, it is a sensation that will disappear over time. It’s the same with hearing aids. 

Give yourself time to adjust and do not panic if they are slightly uncomfortable at first. Practice wearing your hearing aids is the best way to acclimatize to them. Try watching television with the closed captions on so you can understand how the sounds translate into your ears and you’ll be listening away in no time.

Little and often

If you’re finding it difficult to adjust to your hearing aids, it might be a good idea to wean yourself in gently. Rather than attempting to wear your hearing aids 24/7, set a schedule where you put them on for one to two hours every day. This will allow you to break them in, getting used to how they feel in your ears without feeling the pressure to wear them all the time. Remember that these hearing aids are there to serve you and your lifestyle, so you can take as long as you need to start feeling comfortable with them.

Adjusting sound levels

Some people can find that the improved sound quality they experience whilst using hearing aids takes a while to get used to. At first, it can feel distracting or irritating to hear small sounds you’re accustomed to ignoring. Furthermore, other noises can sound abrasive or too loud for your newly sensitive hearing. You can adjust the levels on your hearing aids to help you adjust to these sounds, however, it’s always worth slowly increasing these levels back to the recommended settings, allowing yourself to experience a full range of audio.

Custom fit hearing aids

Hearing aids may be uncomfortable at first, but they should never become painful. If this does occur, speak to your audiologist as soon as possible. If you’re experiencing constant issues, it might also be worth investigating custom fit hearing aids that may be tailored more specifically for your needs. 

If you want to find out more about this through The Speech & Hearing Center, call us today at 423-551-6770.