Getting into a good routine in the first weeks with your hearing aids can be very important. Here at Oticon, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people get back to enjoying life with better hearing, and we know that there are a variety of factors that can contribute to making the first 30 days with hearing aids successful.
Check out our list of five useful tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life.
Top five useful everyday tips
1. Store and charge your hearing aids in the same place every day
With rechargeable batteries, it’s easy to put your hearing aids in the same place every day or evening – right in the charger. You’ll know they’re charged when the front LED light turns green. Always bring your charger with you, especially when traveling.
And if you use non-chargeable batteries, find a designated drawer to put your hearing aids into at night, or use the case that accompanies them. If you are doing activities that require you to remove your hearing aids, make a habit of storing them in the charger or the case, which makes them easy to find again.
Another note regarding storing your hearing aids: If you have a dog or a cat at home, note that he or she would love to chew on your hearing aids. The scent reminds the dog of its owner, so make sure to keep them in a safe place, such as the charger or the case in a safe place. Children also have a habit of seeking out hearing aids to play with – be sure to keep them away from babies and toddlers.
2. Changing non-rechargeable batteries
If you’re not sure which batteries your hearing aids use, it can pose a problem when buying new ones while away from home. Don’t worry, though – that’s why batteries are universally coded by color and number: yellow – size 10, orange – size 13, brown – size 312, blue – size 675.
Just check your battery pack for the color, and match them with those you find in pharmacies and supermarkets. If you don’t have the battery pack, use the batteries currently in your hearing aids for size comparison.
3. Create a routine
Taking your hearing aids off and putting them back on in the same place every morning and evening can be very helpful in building a solid routine. This could be after combing your hair, showering or brushing your teeth – simple activities that you perform every day.
4. Turn on a light or lower background noise
When your hearing is compromised, your other senses are hard at work to compensate. You use your eyes more to get clues about what is being said from people’s lips moving, their facial expressions and body language. By turning on a light and lowering background noise in the room when possible, you can make your life a little easier in situations with lots of noise.
5. Be open about your hearing loss
Telling people about your hearing loss and sharing your experience of life with hearing aids can help other people understand your situation better. It also serves to destigmatize hearing loss and lets the person you’re talking with know you may need to move to a quieter, brighter place to continue your conversation.