OFF TO A GOOD START WITH
HEARING INSTRUMENTS
Thanks to your new hearing
instruments, you can now look
forward to re-entering the
wonderful world of sound.
But remember – better hearing
is best achieved after a period of
gradual adjustment. This booklet
is designed to prepare you for
this period and to help you to
get the most out of wearing your
instruments.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
2
From the moment you start wearing hearing instruments,
you begin the process of re-learning how to hear. Your brain
has to get used to new sounds and stimuli it hasn't received
in a while. For most people, there is an adjustment period
requiring practice using the instruments. At first, some
sounds might be overpowering and you may find yourself
easily getting tired. This is perfectly normal. Your brain is
working hard to catch up, but with patience and a positive
attitude you'll soon succeed.
3
START
THE
RE-LEARNING
PROCESS
SLOWLY !
Begin wearing your hearing instruments for just a few hours
a day in the familiar, quiet surroundings of your home. Then
slowly increase the amount of time you wear your instruments
each day.
Walk around your home identifying and locating sounds that
you may not have heard for a while. Get reacquainted with
common sounds such as water running from a tap. Notice
how the newspaper rustles as you turn its pages. Listen to
your alarm clock or the phone ringing. At first, everything
probably sounds a little different, even your own voice. But
don't worry – you'll soon get used to it!
4
5
COMMUNICATION
WITH
OTHERS
Human speech is one of the most complex sounds, so keeping
up with conversations can initially require a little more effort.
Begin at home, listening to someone whose voice you know
well. Then try following a conversation in a slightly noisier
environment. Soon you'll find out where and how your new
hearing instruments work best.
Remember too, that communicating with others combines
listening with attention, concentration and visual cues. You'll
understand more by observing facial expressions and gestures.
And don't forget that your hearing instruments, like your
ears, pick up sound best from the front. So make sure you
place yourself where you can see the other person's face, and
not too far away from them. Also, ask your family members
to speak to you in a normal tone of voice and not to put their
hands in front of their mouths.
7
ADJUSTING TO
DIFFERENT
SOUND
ENVIRONMENTS
After the first week, most of the usual sounds and voices
should seem quite familiar again, and you can start wearing
your hearing instruments in a wider variety of sound
environments such as work or social occasions. Practice
selecting specific sounds and voices, focusing your attention
on them as you do so.
In a public place such as a meeting hall, sit as close to the
speaker as possible, or at least where you can see the speaker’s
face. In restaurants and cafés, try to sit with your back to the
main source of background noise. Standing on the sidewalk
of a busy street or sitting by an open window is likely to make
it more difficult to hear.
8
For best results when watching television, be sure to
optimize distance and minimize distraction. With
your new hearing instruments on, try sitting 2 to 3
meters away from the screen with the TV volume set
to a normal, comfortable level for others. Then adjust
your distance from the TV set and/or the volume level
on your hearing instruments to find your own comfort
zone. The same goes for radio. The closer you are to
the speaker and the less background noise, the better
the sound you’ll get.
There are also a number of assistive devices that
enable you to enjoy watching TV and listening
to the radio without bothering those around you.
For example, if your hearing instruments contain a
telecoil, you can use a loop system. Another option
often used with hearing instruments is an infrared
system also known as “wireless headphones”.
LISTENING TO THE RADIO OR WATCHING TV
9
10
TAKE CARE OF YOUR
INSTRUMENTS
Your hearing instruments have to contend with moisture and
heat, earwax, skin flakes, oil and hair care products. Here are
some practical tips that will help to keep them functioning
properly.
> Always keep your hearing instruments clean and dry.
> To preserve battery life when you’re not wearing your
instruments, open the battery compartment door so the
battery is not in contact with the internal components.
> Make a habit of cleaning your hearing instruments on a
daily basis.
> Never use household cleaning fluids or oil to clean your
instrument.
> At night, store your hearing instruments in a hearing
instrument drying kit (available from your hearing care
professional).
> Always check to make sure you’ve removed your instruments
before swimming, showering or applying hairspray.
It’s a good idea to check your pockets before washing
clothes as well.
We wish you all the best
with your new hearing
instrument. If you need
any more information,
contact your hearing care
professional.
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M100363-GB-04.08 Rev. A