Living with hearing aids: tips for adapting, maintenance and communication

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Getting used to your hearing aids

Adjusting to life with hearing aids can take time, but with patience and practice, you will quickly enjoy clearer hearing and better communication. When you are fitted with your first hearing aid, you may initially notice that sounds are louder or more distinct than you remember. This is normal. Over time, your brain will re-learn these sounds, and what you once thought of as ‘normal’ will improve dramatically.

How to live with hearing aids

For many people, the first few weeks of wearing hearing aids involve an adjustment period. Your brain needs time to get used to the new sounds and amplification. Here are some tips to make this process easier:

Start gradually: Wear your hearing aids for a few hours each day initially, then increase the time as you become more comfortable.
Practice in quiet environments first: Begin by using your devices in calm settings before trying them in noisy places.
Give yourself time to adapt: It’s normal for sounds to seem unusual or loud at first; patience is key.

Tip: Although starting gradually may help you adjust to hearing aids at first, regular use is the fastest way to adjust in the long term.

Adjusting gradually

The more you wear your hearing aids, the quicker you will get used to living with them, so try to wear them as often as possible. You may be happy to wear them all day from the beginning, or for just a few hours to start with, slowly increasing each day. Some people are able to try their devices in all situations from day one, while others are more comfortable to start somewhere quiet before attempting noisy places. Overall, everyone takes longer to get used to wearing hearing aids in noisy environments.

Increase wear time day by day

Try wearing your hearing aids in different scenarios, both in quiet and in noise. Gradually extend the time you wear them each day. This will help you adapt and make living with hearing aids feel more natural.

Adjusting to noise

People with normal hearing only hear 75% of conversations when there is background noise. Someone with hearing loss will hear much less, even with the best hearing aids. Your device will help adjust the noise level to make it more comfortable for you, but you’ll also need to make some simple adjustments yourself:

Try positioning your back to the noise and face the person you’re speaking to
If using manual change programs, make sure you’re in the ‘Noise’ program your audiologist or audiometrist has set up for you on both hearing aids
Try watching someone’s face for visual cues while they are talking

Adjusting to quiet

You’ll be able to hear many sounds you’ve been missing, so you could suddenly be more aware of the:

Rustling sound of the newspaper
Clanging of dishes in the sink
Hum of your computer
Footsteps on hard surfaces
Signal indicators in the car

Over time, your brain will readjust to these sounds so you won’t notice them as much.

Using the phone with hearing aids

You may experience whistling or feedback when holding a phone to your ear. Try adjusting the phone’s position to find the ‘sweet spot’. Many modern hearing aids also offer Bluetooth or hands-free options to make phone conversations easier.

Adjusting to loud sounds

A sudden loud burst of sound is enough to make anyone jump, even if they have perfect hearing. Your devices have been set up so these sounds won’t cause any damage to your hearing. If certain loud sounds, like those encountered while listening to music, are a concern, don't forget to discuss this with your audiologist or audiometrist.

If you have any questions about living with hearing aids, please get in contact with your local hearing clinic.

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Routine check-up and maintenance

To ensure your hearing aids continue to perform at their best, routine check up and maintenance are essential:

Regular appointments: Attend annual or biannual reviews with your hearing care professional to check device performance and your hearing levels.
Daily care: Clean your hearing aids gently, remove moisture, and replace batteries or recharge as needed.
Software updates: Modern devices may require occasional firmware or software updates for optimal functionality.
Routine maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your hearing aids and ensures you continue to enjoy clear, reliable hearing.

Living with a bone anchored hearing aid

If you have a bone anchored hearing aid, the adaptation process may be slightly different. These devices transmit sound through bone conduction, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Tips for living with a bone anchored hearing aid include:

Wearing it consistently to allow your brain to interpret the sound accurately
Ensuring the abutment and surrounding skin are clean and healthy
Attending follow-up appointments to fine-tune device settings

Bone anchored devices can dramatically improve hearing, especially for people with conductive hearing loss, but proper care and adaptation are key.

Life with hearing aids: communication tips

One of the most important aspects of life with hearing aids is learning how to communicate with hearing aids effectively:

Face the person you’re speaking with and make eye contact
Reduce background noise where possible
Speak clearly but naturally
Use assistive features like directional microphones and Bluetooth connectivity if your devices support them

With practice, these strategies can make everyday conversations much easier and more enjoyable.