{"id":3095,"date":"2023-01-06T14:42:51","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T19:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/?p=3095"},"modified":"2023-01-06T14:42:53","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T19:42:53","slug":"what-to-know-about-your-first-hearing-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/what-to-know-about-your-first-hearing-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know About Your First Hearing Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders<\/a> reports, \u201cAbout 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.\u201d But despite this high number, only about one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wears them, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ready to make the investment in hearing aids or you already have, below we review what to know, what to expect and how to get the most out of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll Have Several Visits with Your Audiologist<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Unfortunately, it\u2019s rarely as easy as getting fit with your hearing aids<\/a> during your initial visit and finding sounds come through perfectly. Instead, you should plan to have several visits with your audiologist. This is because when you first had your hearing tested, you were in a soundproof booth, but listening situations are more complex in the real world. You\u2019ll likely find that you need the programming to be tweaked a few times until you can hear well with ease in complex environments like Athenic Brewing Company<\/a> during AthFest<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear Both of Them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been fit with two hearing aids, it\u2019s important that when you\u2019re wearing them, you put both in. This is because they\u2019ve been calibrated to be worn together, and wearing both can help you localize sounds better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with a Short Amount of Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If it took you a while to treat your hearing loss, your brain will need time to re-learn how to processes all the new sounds you\u2019re hearing with hearing aids. During this adjustment period, we recommend wearing your hearing aids for just an hour or two a day at first and slowly working up to wearing them during all waking hours. This way you won\u2019t be overwhelmed or want to give up on your new hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You May Need to Adjust to the Sound of Your Own Voice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people find that they don\u2019t enjoy hearing the sound of their own voice when they first start wearing hearing aids<\/a>. This is because they\u2019re used to hearing their voice through bone conduction, which makes it sound deeper and richer than it actually is. With hearing aids, you hear it mostly through air conduction. Fortunately, after a few weeks your voice should sound normal to you again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the hearing aid adjustment period or to schedule an appointment, call ENT of Athens<\/span> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n