If you’ve taken the first step toward better hearing by investing in hearing devices, you deserve to be congratulated. But satisfaction is not guaranteed by a simple purchase.
Hearing is not passive—you have a responsibility to develop good communication habits. To receive the maximum benefit from your hearing devices:
- Commit to wearing your devices. You must become accustomed to hearing sounds you may not have heard for a long time. You may initially find certain sounds irritating, but in time, they’ll become normal. Keep wearing your hearing devices during this adjustment period.
- Show off your devices. Inform others you are wearing hearing devices. Give them guidance to allow you to communicate effectively. You must face the listener when you talk, tell him or her to speak louder or move the conversation to another room if the environment is too noisy.
- Control your environment. If you know you will be in a situation where background noise will interfere with your ability to communicate, formulate a plan. For example, if you plan on dining with friends, look at a restaurant’s menu online beforehand and decide what you want, eliminating your need to ask the server to repeat menu choices. Arrive early to find seating away from sources of background noise.
- Make eye contact. Communication improves when you can evaluate and interpret body language and facial expressions.
- Practice your listening skills. Listen to the radio or audiobooks.Purchase auditory rehabilitative software for your computer to practice listening with background noise.
- Be patient. In time, listening with hearing devices will become second nature, and you will be rewarded with the joy of hearing all the sounds of life.
Noticed any changes in your hearing or need help with your devices? Contact us today at (262) 679-8888.