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7. Use your telephone
Often, you can hear the telephone clearly with your hearing instrument in a micro-
phone program. Hold the telephone handset 1-inch (2-3cm) from your ear and tilt the
receiver outwards a little. See whether or not the telephone sounds better if you
switch your hearing instrument to the T-program. Read about this on page 13.
Your hearing instrument meets strict international regulations. Therefore, it should be
possible to use a GSM telephone in most cases. However, in some circumstances,
disturbance might be audible through your hearing instrument.
8. Use your instrument all day
Using your hearing instrument and practising with it is the best way to learn to hear again.
Even if you can hear without an instrument in some cases. Try to wear your instrument
all day. In that way, you will benefit the most. Of course, a hearing instrument cannot
restore natural hearing, but it will help you make the most of your hearing as it is today.
Go beyond these eight steps and discover the world of sound around you. Do the
things you enjoy and listen to the sounds from your environment.
5. Get used to conversations in a group
Following conversations in a group is often difficult because of the background noise.
Listen to the different voices. Try to recognise them by timbre or rhythm and link each
voice to a person. Focus your attention on the person you want to understand. Practice
this regularly. If you did not understand something that was said, please ask for it to be
repeated. Ensure that you can see the face of your conversation partner(s) clearly and
that there is sufficient light. This will help you to lip-read. Avoid ‘looking into the light’.
Position yourself with your back towards the window, so that you can see the other
person(s) better. Ask others to talk slowly and clearly. Talking louder does not help.
6. Visit public buildings
Visit public buildings. Try to sit near the speaker; try to be seated in the front rows in
a show. Avoid a seat behind a pillar or in an alcove, you will be in a ‘sound shadow.’ In
a restaurant, sit with your back towards the wall. This avoids disturbing noises coming
from behind you. If an induction loop is present, and your instrument has a telecoil, use
the T-program. However, not every position will have good sound reception. Watch for
signs at the location or try a different seat.
