Using hearing instruments successfully

A 10-step learning program

 
The joys of using hearing instruments - what you should always keep in mind

Learning to use hearing instruments optimally and enjoyably is possible for most people with impaired hearing.  How long it takes depends on many factors: Age and physical health; severity of hearing loss; how long you have had a hearing loss; and, your level of motivation to improve your hearing.

Learning to hear again requires patience and practice, and establishing reasonable hearing expectations.  It will take a while for your auditory system to adjust to hearing through your hearing instruments.  Also, give yourself time to get used to both the idea of wearing hearing instruments, and their physical presence.

Getting used to your hearing instruments...
Step 1 : Begin with the easier hearing situations

Start your "training to hear" program in familiar surroundings, such as around your home.

  • After you have read the operating instructions carefully and have familiarized yourself with the operation of your instruments, put them on and start conversing with one or two people only.

  • For the first few weeks, don't attempt to wear your instruments in noisy places like the supermarket ot the airport or a noisy restaurant.

Step 2 : Slowly increase your wearing time

Start with just a few hours a day.  After the "breaking-in" period, it is important that you increase your wearing time until  you are using your instruments all day.  Soon wearing them will become routine.  Using your instruments regularly under varying conditions, will teach you how to fully exploit your hearing potential and enjoy optimum benefits from your instruments.

 

Step 3 : Learn to control the volume

  • Don't set the volume control too high.  This can result in distortion rather than in improved understanding. 

  • Don't try to understand soft voices over a great distance.  Remember, people who hear well can't do that either.

As you gain more "wearing experience", you can adjust the volume control when you need increased loudness.

Learn to observe yourself
Step 4 : Adapting to your hearing instruments

Ideally, your hearing instruments should become "part of your body", similar to glasses or contact lenses.  To achieve this, make sure your earmold or in-the-ear instrument is a comfortable fit.  Should you experience any discomfort or "pressure points" consult your hearing healthcare professional.

Make allowance for the effects of fatigue

Wearing hearing intruments and hearing a greater range of sounds may tire you at first. 

  • Don't force yourself.

  • Let hearing happen gradually.

  • Take a break if you get tired or nervous.

  • Be happy with a little progress each day.

Learn to be an effective listener

With your hearing instruments it is now easier to hear well and communicate effectively in both quiet and noisy situations. It is still necessary, however, for you to be an effective listener.  Even people with good hearing often have to concentrate on what they want to hear and ignore or suppress the things they don't.  You can learn to be a more effective listener :

  • Try to identify any sounds you don't recognize when you first start wearing your hearing instruments.

  • Practice concentrating on the sounds and voices you want to hear, ignoring those that are less important.

  • When there are a number of different sounds occurring around you, practice shifting your attention from one to the other.

Adjust to your own voice

At first, you may not recognize the sound of your own voice!  This is because you are now hearing yourself more correctly with the help of your hearing instruments.  Furthermore, you now have the opportunity to adjust the volume of your voice and the way you pronounce words.

  • It is good practice to read aloud to yourself in this phase of your training period.

  
Learing to hear again in difficult situations.
Step 5 : Living with noise

The world is a noisy place.  People with normal hearing are able to suppress interfering noises by concentrating on the sounds they wish to hear.  If, however, you have had a hearing impairment for some time, you may have lost this ability.  Furthermore, your hearing instruments will reintroduce you to many sounds you may have forgotten.  On the other hand, once again you will hear many wonderful sounds.  Your mission is to live comfortably with both unpleasant and pleasant sounds.  Practice concentrating on what you want to hear.  If you have multi-program instruments, pratice choosing the best program for the situation.

 

Step 6 : Active participation in group conversations

Even people who hear well can have problems understanding speech if several people speak at once.  So it is understandable if you feel overwhelmed trying to hear in large groups.  It will help if you move closer to the person you want to hear and watch his/her lips.  Do not listen to the group but focus on a single speaker at a time.  Experienced wearers of hearing instruments manage astonishing results in this type of situation.

Step 7 : Visiting public buildings

Theaters, churches, conference rooms and other public places can challenge the hearing instrument user.  It is helpful to sit where the acoustic conditions are best.  Normally, this is in front of the speaker.  It is best if you can see the face of the speaker easily.

Numerous public buildings have Assistive Listening Devices and Systems for anyone wearing hearing instruments.

Step 8 : Listening to radio and television

Electronically reproduced speech may be difficult to understand.  By focusing on the general meaning the speaker is trying to convey, instead of trying to decipher each word, your ability to use your hearing instruments with radio and TV should improve.

Step 9 : Using the telephone with your hearing instruments

There are a number of obtions for using the telephone while wearing your hearing instruments.  You can discuss them with your hearing healthcare professional to determine which procedure works best for you.  Your local telephone company can give you information about their telephones for people with a hearing loss and may have a demonstration center for trying the various systems.

 

Step 10 : Two ears are better than one

The use of two hearing instruments for people with a hearing loss in both ears has many advantages.  In fact, users are often overjoyed with the vast improvement hearing with two ears offers.

The benefits of hearing with both ears :

  • More natural hearing, because our auditory system is designed to receive sound input from both ears.

  • Improved ability to determine the directionfrom which sound is coming.

  • Greater ability to hear and understand in noisy surroundings.

  • Richer, smoother sound quality.

  • Easier, more relaxed listening.

  • Less volume required for each ear.

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