Getting Used to Hearing Aids: What You Can Do & What To Expect

Expect an adjustment period

When you first start wearing hearing aids, it’s normal to go through an adjustment period. This does become a challenge for many individuals — and some may even stop wearing their devices before they’ve had a chance to adapt.

This is especially concerning when we consider that, in the United States alone, as many as 28.8 million¹ adults could benefit from adding hearing aids to their daily healthcare protocol.

So, with all of this in mind, we’re here to share…

• What a typical adjustment period might look like
• What you can do to better manage this transition
• And how you can use technology to find your ideal settings fast

With clear expectations, we hope you’ll feel more prepared for any hurdles that come up along the way and that, with time, you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of any device you choose.

Why do we struggle to adjust to hearing aids?

Because hearing aids work by amplifying sound, they allow you to hear things you didn’t previously hear or that you haven’t heard in a while.

At a neurological level, this presents a new challenge. In the early stages of hearing aid use, there are significant changes happening with respect to your brain and how it processes sound².

This may impact our ability to decipher audio input and for some users, amplified noises and voices may register as unpleasant or too loud.

While this can cause aggravation for many individuals who need hearing support, experts maintain that the brain usually has the capacity to adjust and that, in most cases, the impact of your hearing aids will improve over time².

How long will it take me to adjust?

A recent study — led by accredited researchers and published in the American Journal of Audiology — found that 64% of patients with hearing loss adapted to their new devices within two months³.

That said, some sources claim that it could take up to four months for select individuals to enjoy the full benefits of new hearing tech.

What can I do to adapt?

According to hearing care experts, there are a few key things you can do to ease your transition into hearing aid use.

You may have an easier time adapting if you…

• Learn how to properly maintain and operate your device⁴
• Wear your hearing aids consistently so your brain has the opportunity to adapt⁴
• And defer to an audiologist or other HCP when you need additional guidance

Of course, it’s also important to come into this process with clear and realistic expectations and allow yourself plenty of room to get used to your devices.

How can hearing technology help me adapt?

It’s also important to note that many modern hearing aids offer adjustable settings designed to improve your experience and simplify your hearing care journey — especially as you adapt.

Included on your list of options is All-Day Clear, the over-the-counter hearing technology made for mild to moderate hearing loss.

All-Day Clear offers 42 unique sound profiles that you can easily adjust at any time using the user-friendly and intuitive app.

*If you are at the start of your hearing care journey, you may want to explore the differences between *prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids to learn more about your options.