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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. 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 that you appreciate hearing with a hearing instrument and 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 practitioner.
1. Get used to familiar sounds at home
Try to get used to the new sounds from a familiar environment. Listen to the different (background) sounds
and try to recognise them. When you are tired from listening, remove your instrument and pause for a while.
Talk or read aloud to familiarise yourself with the sound of your own voice. Gradually, you will learn to use
the instrument for longer period of time and become more comfortable with it.
2. Listen outside - quiet & traffic
Go outside, to a quiet place, e.g., the park or woods. Listen to the environmental sounds. Do you recognise
them?
Please be careful with sounds from heavy traffic at this stage of getting used to your instrument. Sometimes
they sound very loud; try not to get frightened.
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 requirements you will be able to communicate bet-
ter 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 practitioner 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.
5. Get used to conversation 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. Try to position yourself with your back towards the window/open door/any other
source of light, so that you can see the other person(s) better.
