Community Forums

gruelens · 11-20-2013, 12:17 AM

I agree with many of the things that have been stated prior. Four months ago I got my first set of hearing aids at Costco. A wonderful experience and much more affordable than other vendors.

At first I was taken back by how noisy everything is. So I only wore mine a few hours each day for a week. Then gradually increased the time, never pushing past my comfort zone. I was told they programmed mine initially for 65% of the volume level I needed. Some outfits at first crank them up to 100% of what your hearing test calls for. If this is the case you can easily be overwhelmed those first few weeks. Yes your brain has to "learn" to adjust to all this new stimulus that it has been missing out on. Adjustments are necessary by your tech to fine tune the aids to your liking. Don't give up on this, just realize you are climbing a learning curve. After 20+ years of hearing loss, hearing aids have been a large help to me and those around me. Today's technology makes aids much better than just 5-10 years ago.

99-Am.Star · 11-20-2013, 03:02 PM

Basically I say what others have said. I received mine from the VA almost 2 years ago, and had a terrible time for the first month. Went back for the checkup after a
month of use and they made adjustments. After around 6 months another tweaking and all was well. Wear them as much as possible for the first month, then have them
adjust them for you. It takes awhile till you realize what you have been missing.
Best of luck. By the way, mine are Phonak.

calico · 11-20-2013, 03:12 PM

I agree, you may need some adjustment and allow time to get used to them. When mine were new I could 'hear' my hair when I combed it. I thought someone was chasing me in the mall, turned out to be someone pushing a baby stroller behind me.

fansill · 11-20-2013, 05:37 PM

Thank you everyone....

I wore them again today and although I loved hearing voices more clearly, it still amplifies agrravating sounds way more than I need... Like the dog barking or the sound of others chatting on their cell-phones around me.... Wow...how inconsiderate some people are and who knew how much people talk about when they think no-one can hear....

I will take all of your advice and bear with it for a few weeks. I called my audiologist and was informed that the aids were set at the mid-range level which is normal for most new wearers.

My aids are Phonak and they are remarkably comfortable. I forget that they are in my ears for most of the day but...yes you are right...I can hear my fingers going through my hair and so many little sounds that I have never heard before. I never realized that my blinkers or turn signals in my car made a noise. I can hear the tires oof my car on the road... I never realized that I could hear clickety clacks when I typed on my computer. I never heard heels clicking on a floor, (so no-one can creep up on me and kill me when my back is turned...LOL!!!) I never heard my little puppy's snores at night. WOW...this is all so new and I am amazed, delighted, and a little afraid of all this sensory overload.

My teenage nephew is totally deaf and has been so since his birth. A few years ago he had the opportunity to try a cochlear implant and he refused. He said he was more comfortable with his quiet world. I can understand somewhat his feelings.....but I will give it a try. Hubby says that he loves not having to yell at me to have me hear him...but he has to be careful because I can hear him whispering now...LOL!!!

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and your kind words. Bless you...You are all the BEST...!!!

Faith