Hearing aids can add years to your life, and quality to your years. But they can take some getting used. Here are five simple things you can do to get the most out of your hearing aids.

The prospect of better hearing through the use of hearing aids can be exciting, but people sometimes find it difficult to get used to wearing them. If you’ve been living with hearing loss for awhile, there are many sounds and frequencies you’ve been missing, and it will take your brain some time to get used to them.

As you adapt to a life with hearing aids, here are five things you can do to help you transition into your new world of sound.

1. Give It Time

Work with your audiologist to develop a schedule for getting used to your new hearing aids, and then follow it. Wear them for a few hours a day to start, and work up to wearing them all day. The first few weeks can be tiring, so take a break when you need to, but always start again. Stick with your schedule for the fastest results.

2. Be Positive

Buying new hearing aids doesn’t automatically mean they will work for you from the get-go. Keeping an upbeat attitude about your hearing aids is just as important as wearing them. Adapting to new hearing aids requires a willingness to learn, and being optimistic about your new devices will help you learn to use them successfully.

3. Learn As Much As You Can

Educate yourself about your hearing loss, so you know exactly what you need to do to overcome it. The more you know about the type of hearing loss you have, and what options are available to you, the more you will understand about your treatment and how to get used to your new hearing aids.

4. Give Yourself A Break

Hearing aids will greatly improve your ability to hear, but your hearing won’t be perfect. Being realistic about what your new devices will do is a big component to wearing them successfully. It takes time, practice and commitment to get accustomed to new hearing aids, and to figure out how they work best for you, so don’t expect it to be perfect right from the start.

5. Don’t Give Up

Getting used to new hearing aids takes time, practice and lots of patience. Don't give up when you get frustrated – take a break and get back to it, and soon enough, your brain and ears will make the right connections. Before you know it, you’ll be able to slip your hearing aids in and hear just fine without giving it a second thought.

If you have a hearing impairment, hearing aids can change your life. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Be a little patient with yourself and your new devices, and soon enough you’ll be enjoying a new life full of sound.