When you’ve lived with hearing loss for a prolonged period, you might be surprised by all the sounds that come back when you first wear hearing aids. At first, some sounds might feel too loud which can be a little overwhelming. Over time, your brain will re-learn which sounds to focus on and which to ignore and turn down. Be patient, but if you experience any problems or discomfort, contact your hearing care professional.
The first encounter with your hearing aid
Your first experiences are essential for the successful adjustment of your hearing aids. We've put together a few tips and tricks, so that you'll be able to fully enjoy and get the most out of your hearing aids.
Please follow the instructions carefully and if you have any questions or problems, contact your hearing care professional.
How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?
Even though you’ll immediately notice the impact that hearing aids have on your hearing, it will usually take a few months until you fully adapt to them.
Adjusting the volume
Modern hearing aids automatically select the appropriate volume when they are switched on. No other adjustments are necessary. If you do decide to adjust the volume using the hearing aids or with the myPhonak app, do not make it too loud - this rarely helps with understanding.
Being an active participant in discussions
Even people without hearing loss sometimes find it difficult to follow discussions, especially if several people are talking at once. Move closer to the person you would like to hear and focus on him or her. As you gain experience with your hearing aid, you’ll be able to master these situations with more ease and confidence. Additional devices, such as microphones, can also be helpful in these situations. You can find out more about an appropriate solution from your hearing care professional.
Learn more about Roger™ microphones and Phonak PartnerMic™.
Visits to public places
Theatres, places of worship, conference halls and similar places can be a challenging listening situation for hearing aid wearers due to the acoustics. Ideally, you should find a seat located in the front and center of the room. This is where the acoustics are usually best. Don’t sit too close to the person speaking, but close enough to see his or her face. Some public places have special technical equipment to make hearing and understanding easier. Just ask in advance or when you get there.
Follow television and radio programs
Sometimes it’s not possible to understand every single word on TV or radio. Instead, try to concentrate on the overall context. In these situations, an additional listening device can help to give your hearing aids a boost.
Learn more about using TV Connector and Roger™ technology for connecting audio sources to your hearing aids.
Use your hearing aids with a phone
As a hearing aid wearer, you have many options to improve the way you deal with phone calls. Your hearing care professional can advise you about a solution that works, best for you.
Phonak Paradise and Phonak Marvel hearing aids enable hands-free phone calls that directly streams audio content from iOS, Android or other Bluetooth® enabled devices.
Calls can be answered or rejected with a simple push of the button, even if your phone is across the room. You can even set your phone notifications to be heard through your hearing aids.
Examples of Phonak hearing aids with smartphone direct connectivity are Audéo™ Paradise, Audéo™ Marvel, Virto™ Marvel, Bolero™ Marvel, Naída™ Marvel, Sky™ Marvel
Two ears hear better than one
With bilateral hearing loss, both ears are fitted with a hearing aid to help you reach a completely new level of hearing. Humans have two ears for a reason, so if you have a hearing loss in both ears, it makes sense to wear two hearing aids.
Learn more about single-sided hearing loss