What to Expect When You First Start Using Hearing Aids
- wehelphearing
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
There is a lot to know about hearing aids, and as a first-time user it can feel pretty overwhelming.
Do not worry, just take it slow. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
I am going to give you an overview of what to expect in your first couple of weeks using hearing aids. One thing you need to know right up front: hearing aids are not like glasses. You are not going to put them on and immediately have everything snap into focus.
Instead, using hearing aids takes time and effort.
You might not ever have a big ah-ha moment when you put them on, but there will probably come a day when you take them out and realize just how much they were helping you without you even knowing it.
The Adjustment Period
The first thing I want to talk about is the adjustment period.
You are going to hear me say this time and time again: our ears are just the gateway. It is our brain that actually does the work of processing sound. When you lose your hearing, the parts of your brain that used to process those sounds stop getting used. They go kind of dormant. When you put hearing aids on for the first time, you are suddenly sending those old sounds back in. You are lighting up parts of your brain that have been quiet for a long time. It can be a little overwhelming.
You might notice things sounding way louder than you expected. A lot of people tell me,
"I turned on the faucet and it sounded like Niagara Falls," or, "I went out to eat and the sound of the plates and silverware was so loud I got a headache."
Depending on your hearing loss, you might notice a little of this or a lot. But the key is to know it is normal.
Your brain is re-learning how to sort everything out. It is figuring out how loud things should be again. And it will. The only way to get there is to wear your hearing aids early and often.
If you got hearing aids because you want to hear better at social events, I am telling you right now, do not make your first real try at a crowded restaurant or a family party. Wear them at home first. Get used to everyday sounds again.
If things feel too loud, that is okay. Take them out for 15 or 30 minutes, then put them back in. Your goal is to build up to wearing them 8 to 10 hours a day.
And listen, if you miss a day, it is not the end of the world.Just pick them back up tomorrow and keep going. You deserve to hear the things you have been missing.
Thinking it might be time to check your hearing? You can take a free online hearing test right now and get a quick snapshot of where you stand. It only takes a few minutes.
Feedback (That High-Pitched Whine)
Next up is feedback. Feedback is another one of the biggest complaints when people first start using hearing aids, and luckily it is usually one of the easiest things to fix.
First, what causes it?
Your hearing aid has a microphone that picks up sound from the world around you. It sends that sound to a speaker, which plays it into your ear (assuming you took my advice above and are actually wearing your hearing aids!).
Feedback happens when that sound leaks back out of your ear and into the microphone again. That creates a little loop, and that is what makes the high-pitched whine you sometimes hear.
So how do you fix it?
First, make sure your hearing aids fit well and seal off your ear canal properly. If sound cannot escape, it cannot cause feedback.
This can be a little tricky if you have more significant hearing loss and need higher volume. If you are working with a clinic, talk to the specialist about a proper fit. You might need custom tips. If you are buying over-the-counter hearing aids, make sure to ask about different sizes and types of tips. Some styles, like closed domes or double bass domes, seal better than open tips.
Another trick: If you can, put your hearing aids in while they are at low volume, then turn them up once they are seated properly in your ears. Putting them in at full blast almost guarantees a squeal that will make you want to rip them right back out.
Maintenance and Care
The last thing I want to cover for now is maintenance. I am not going to sugarcoat this: maintenance is not optional. It is part of the deal when you get hearing aids.
Think about it. You are wearing a tiny electronic device all day, right up against your body, in your ear canal. They are dealing with sweat, oil, wax, temperature swings from your body heat to the air to the charger, humidity, and more.
I know it's 2025, but somehow nobody has invented indestructible electronics yet, especially at this size.
If you are buying from a hearing specialist, make sure you have a conversation about what maintenance is realistic and what kind of support is built into the price. Sometimes it is included. Sometimes it is not. Either way, regular care is what is going to keep your hearing aids in your ears instead of in a junk drawer.
One of the best tools you can have is a simple dehumidifier. Use it every night if you can, or at least once or twice a week. And it's not a bad thing to have handy for those times that you forget your hearing aids are in and you jump in the shower (It happens to the best of us).
Wrapping Up
Alright, that is enough for today. There is a lot more you will learn along the way, but these three things are some of the most important to get you started on the right foot.
If you made it all the way through this, that is a great sign. You are taking your hearing seriously, and you are setting yourself up for success.
You've got this. Keep at it.
(Ready to get started? Take a look at what MDHearing has to offer.)
