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2. Listen outside - quiet & traffic
Go outside, to a quiet place, e .g ., the park or woods . Listen to the environmental sounds .
Do you recognize them? Please, be careful with sounds from heavy traffic at this stage of
getting used to your instrument . Sometimes they sound very loud .
3. Have a conversation with a single person
Use your instrument in conversation with one person; a family member or a friend . Move to
a quiet spot . Explain that you are now wearing a hearing instrument; ask the other person to
talk normally . Look at your conversation partner . If your instrument is tuned to your require-
ments you will be able to communicate better than before .
4. Listen to radio or television
Listen to the radio or television . Start with the news, then turn to another program . Ask a
‘normal hearing’ person to set the volume of your radio or television to a comfortable level . If
necessary, adjust the volume on your hearing instrument .
If you cannot understand the radio or television, ask your hearing care professional to
adjust your hearing instrument . He or she is able to inform you on other facilities such as an
induction loop at home for radio or television .
Eight steps towards better hearing
You need to get used to your new hearing instrument . Sounds seem new and different .
That is because you grew accustomed to your diminished hearing . Therefore, familiar sounds
seem strange or unnatural at first . Every first-time user of a hearing instrument responds
differently to this . Some can wear the new instrument a whole day right from the start while
others find it hard to get used to .
After a while, you will notice you appreciate hearing with a hearing instrument and that you
will find it quite normal . Below, eight steps are described that will guide you through the initial
period . If you are not satisfied or keep experiencing problems, please consult your hearing
care professional .
1. Get used to familiar sounds at home
Try to get used to the new sounds from a familiar environment . Listen to the different (back-
ground) sounds and try to recognize them . When you are tired from listening, remove your
instrument and pause for a while . Talk or read aloud for a while . In that way you will familiarize
yourself with the sound of your own voice . Gradually, you will learn to use the instrument for
longer and become more comfortable with it .
