Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Getting the best from your hearing aid
It is a myth that wearing a hearing aid makes your hearing worse. In fact it will have a positive impact on your life. But it will take time, sometimes several months, for you to get used to wearing it and to how things sound.
Things will sound different
When you get a hearing aid it is important to remember that it takes time to get used to wearing a hearing aid in your ear and to get used to the sound of it. It is unlikely to sound completely natural and your own voice might sound strange.
Getting used to your hearing aid
Remember to switch your hearing aid off when you take it out!
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will give you an idea of how to use your hearing aid in the first few weeks so that you get the most benefit from it.
You should allow yourself enough time to get used to your hearing aid and build up your use of it gradually. This means gradually building up the number of hours each day that you wear the aid as well as gradually trying it in different listening situations, starting with different rooms in your home.
- Start by listening to everyday noises.
- Then try conversations with one person in a quiet room.
- Next, try conversations in small groups.
- Start to wear your hearing aid outside.
- Finally, try wearing your hearing aid in a noisy place like a pub or restaurant.
Gradually building up the number of hours you wear your hearing aid each day should help you get used to wearing the hearing aid in your ear.
If you use your hearing aid all day, every day, straight away, then the earmould can make your ear sore.
- Do not use your hearing aid in difficult situations until you are confident about using it and happy with the sound of it.
- Your hearing aid should never make sounds uncomfortably loud for you. If it does, tell your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.
- Your hearing may seem ‘dull’ when you take your aid off. This is because you become used to hearing much better with it in.
If you have problems with your hearing aid you should go back to your local audiologist or to the hearing aid dispenser who sold you your hearing aid.
Learn how to use your hearing aid
- Familiarise yourself with your specific model and practise putting your hearing aid in and taking it out.
- Practise using the controls on your hearing aid and adjusting the volume (if you have a control for this) in a comfortable and quiet environment.
If you have two hearing aids, they are often colour coded to make sure you put the aid in the correct ear. RED is always for the RIGHT ear and BLUE for the LEFT ear.
Hearing aid controls
Hearing aid controls vary from model to model. You should refer to the specific instructions that came with your aid.
Although controls do vary you will sometimes see 'O' for 'off', 'M' for 'microphone' and a 'T' setting for the 'telecoil'. The normal setting for using your hearing aid is 'M'.
Volume
Many hearing aids have a volume control. This is usually a wheel, but it can be a little lever. To increase the volume push the wheel or lever upwards. Push the wheel or lever down to make the volume quieter.
Some hearing aids adjust the volume automatically. With these aids, there is no volume control for you to adjust as it is all done internally by the hearing aid.
Programmes
Many digital hearing aids have different programmes or settings for different listening situations. The programmes let you change how the hearing aid behaves when you go into different situations, such as into a noisy situation or when listening to music.
The types of programme depend on the model of hearing aid and how it has been set up. Your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will explain what you can do and how to switch between listening programmes.
Two hearing aids
If you wear two hearing aids, your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will help you make sure that you get the right sound balance between the two sides.
The 'telecoil' or 'T' setting
Most hearing aids have a 'T' setting for the telecoil. This allows you to use special listening equipment such as an 'induction loop' or a telephone that is 'hearing aid compatible'. Your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will show you how to switch to your hearing aid's 'T' setting.