Surprising Sounds You’ll Notice With Your New Hearing Aids

Many people experience hearing loss as a gradual process, meaning they are often the last people to realize they have developed the condition. When this occurs, individuals with hearing loss may not realize the small sounds they haven’t been privy to in a long time – from the birds chirping to the hum of your kitchen appliances.

There are many surprising sounds you will notice when you get a new hearing aid from an audiologist, and this helps account for the one-to-three-month adjustment period you may experience when wearing your devices for the first time. However, once you do, you will hear things exceptionally well. Here are some of the most common sounds you can expect to hear again!

Sounds when Getting Dressed

There are a lot of sounds that come from the clothes you wear, especially as they rush over your head or raindrops hit your raincoat and trickle down. And even your shoes can seem pretty loud as you walk. For example, the sound of fabrics like cotton can cause a loud whooshing sound, your boot heels can click and clack, and thicker materials can sound like crinkling paper. So, take your time to gradually get used to being conscious of the clothes you’re wearing.

Metallic Sounds and Clicks

At first, sounds may sound metallic or tinny because you are hearing them at a scale you haven’t heard in a while. This occurs because you are hearing high-frequency noises that you haven’t heard in years or have heard differently for quite some time. Fortunately, the more you use your hearing aids, the faster your brain will get used to them, and the annoying metallic click and sounds will go away in time. Until then, your audiologist can make adjustments if needed.

Brushing Your Hair

You probably don’t usually hear many sounds when you brush your hair, style it with a product, or dry it with a towel. But doing any of these can cause a loud experience with a new hearing aid. And if you keep your long hair behind your ears, you may now notice your hearing aid more when you brush it. This is because the microphone and amplifier can rub against your hair, causing a loud sound. Unfortunately, the only way to defeat this is to take it a little easier.

How to Get Used to these Sounds

It usually takes between three and six months for your ears to adjust to the sounds of a new hearing aid. However, you can speed up the process or make it more comfortable. Here’s how:

• Sit in silence to get used to the everyday sounds you will experience.
• Turn your hearing aid off when doing certain things if it is safe to do so.
• Learn about your device’s settings and adjust them accordingly.
• Make a list of the sounds that cause discomfort so you can work on them.
• Book an appointment with an audiologist to have your device adjusted.

You can make your experience more bearable by experimenting and identifying the sounds that cause you the most discomfort. However, consult your audiologist if you have persistent issues.

Humming Household Appliances

Appliances in our homes make a lot of noises, like the hum of a fridge, washer and dryer, or air conditioner. At first, these noises may be annoying and hard to deal with. But w When you begin to wear your hearing aids, you can try sitting in a quiet room at home and just listening to what you hear. Make a list of the noises you hear, especially if they cause you some distress. With some light exposure and practice, you’ll find some of the humming sounds don’t bother you.

The Tick of Time

When getting used to a new hearing aid, even the slightest sounds can be as intense as you begin to recognize what you’ve been muted to for years. Even In a quiet room, the sound of a clock ticking and tocking can become increasingly louder just because you now notice it. But you must expose yourself to these sounds, or you will never get used to them. You will get used to it in time, to the point you don’t notice it, just like your hearing was before.

The Sound of Yourself

Believe it or not, you make a lot of sounds yourself. And when you wear a hearing aid, audio compression can make your voice sound very different. Like some of the sounds you’ll hear when brushing your hair or getting dressed, it can sound like you’re talking into a sea shell or very loudly. These strange sounds should go away on their own over time, but if you’re still worried, talk to your audiologist. Reading out loud can help you get used to your voice faster.

The Hearing Clinic at Woodlake can help you adjust to live with your new hearing aids. To learn more about what you can expect, please each out to our team by calling (612) 246-4868.