New Member, new hearing aid user

Hearing Aids
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Hello to all here.

I’m a new hearing aid user, having received my first set of aids today.

I’m 68, male and ex squaddie from 1970s and early 80s. Tank gunner and gunnery instructor, so exposed to a very great deal of loud bangs in my service career. I knew I have had difficulties for years, but general hearing was mostly OK, with just a “notch” in my hearing, in higher frequencies, which sort of meant I could not hear microwave oven “pings” etc., so was not overly bothered.

Suffice to say, this year I was paying more attention, and was struggling to hear conversations when in the pub, restaurants etc. So bit the bullet and went for an audiologist test.

Anyhoo… needed both ears to have aids. Tried the basic NHS aids, but felt I wanted to try alternatives. Tried Oticon Intent 4’s which were much better, and finally Oticon Intent 1’s, which sealed the deal, mainly because of the noise cancellation. Lots of expense, but I felt that I had ignored my hearing defects for so long, it was time to get serious, so I bit the bullet and went for Intent 1’s.

Still day 1, so still not sure how I’m going to get on with them. But as a very new hearing aid user, still wondering how long until I get “used to them” if you know what I mean.

I’m feeling positive, because my hearing quality has dramatically improved as of tonight and I genuinely had not realised how much I have been missing out on, and how frustrating it must have been for my wife to have to keep repeating things when speaking with me.

So, very new to all this and hoping to learn as I go and by looking on here to tips and advice, as well as passing on anything that anyone may find useful.

Thanks.

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Hi. Think of learning to use new hearing aids a bit like training in a new form of exercise. Your muscles, or in this case your brain has to get used to it. 1st there will be post workout pain, oh god what is all this loud sound, as your brain learns to process a ton more new information coming in. Then after a time, it will flow smoothly as your brain goes back to only listening to things that will make a difference to you. My honest opinion, using them for the majority of the day, you’ll probably take about a month to really properly adjust to them. You should also note down the things that you find annoying about them, the way things sound etc, your audiologist may be able to make some adjustments for you the more you use them.
Good luck with them though, you’re definitely on the start of a journey :slight_smile:

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Thank for the reply.

Yes, I suspect I’ll take about that length of time. About the same as when I first got specs. I went direct to varifocals at the recommendation of my optician and they were weird to start with, but I am glad I persevered.
I’ll certainly take notes as I am due back in a month or so, for a follow up.