Your loved one will need time to get used to their new hearing aids. Their brain has to relearn sounds it’s been missing, which can be overwhelming.
Here are some tips to support them on their journey toward better hearing.
Be a Patient and Active Listener
Allowing your parent to express their excitement, frustration and hesitation is important. Background noises that seem quiet to you could distract your loved one. Ask how they feel about their hearing devices and note discomfort or problems so their audiologist can make adjustments. You and your loved one may need to learn new communication techniques, so be patient with each other.
Find the Right Place to Talk
Having one-on-one conversations in a quiet space at home allows your loved one to practice listening with their hearing aids. Wearing hearing aids at home eliminates noisy distractions so your parent can get used to their voice and yours without contending with background sounds. Face your parent and get their attention before you speak with them. Talk clearly and use body language to convey your meaning.
Practice Listening Exercises
Here are some activities to do with your loved one:
Read aloud: Take turns reading a book, magazine or newspaper together. That helps your loved one pair written and spoken words.
Listen to the radio or audiobooks: This listening exercise teaches your parent to ignore background sounds and concentrate on speech.
Locate background sounds: Find a quiet spot at home and ask your loved one to identify where different sounds are coming from, such as the refrigerator humming or the clock ticking.
Quiz them on sounds: Consonant sounds can be difficult to differentiate at first for new hearing aid wearers. Recite similar-sounding words, such as “dish” and “fish,” and have your parent identify each word.
Attend Follow-Up Appointments and Classes
Audiologists usually recommend follow-up appointments a few weeks after your loved one receives their hearing aids. Join your parent for their visit if they’re comfortable with you accompanying them. That allows you to observe and learn about your loved one’s hearing loss. You can also ask the audiologist questions and provide insight into your parent’s progress.
Our audiologists offer aural rehabilitation classes to help patients adjust to new hearing aids and understand how to care for their devices. Those classes are often open to family and friends who want to know more about hearing health and conversation techniques.
Be Lighthearted
It’s important to approach your loved one’s hearing journey with positivity and patience. Find time to laugh about mistakes and discuss the benefits of their hearing devices. That will remind them what they’re working toward during moments of frustration.
Create a hearing aid schedule together as your loved one gets used to wearing their devices longer each day. Suggest hearing breaks, so they have time to rest their ears and brain as well.
The Hearing Associates team is committed to helping patients feel satisfied and comfortable with their hearing aids. Contact us online or call 888-760-2032 to schedule an appointment.