How long and when should you wear your hearing aids?

Simple Question, Not A Simple Answer

It is a question we get asked quite a bit, it seems a simple one, but as with many things, there is not a simple answer. Let me explain.

New Users of Hearing Aids

When you are a new user of hearing aids we advise that you slowly ease yourself into wearing your hearing aids. You have probably had a hearing loss for many years and wearing hearing aids brings back all of the sound that you have been missing. Some people find it exhilirating and don’t mind the change, others can find it a bit too much.

A Staged Approach

We advise a staged approach, wearing the hearing aids for a few hours at a time and building up to wearing them all of the time over a two week period. This approach allows you to slowly ease yourself back into the world.

Why You Should Wear Them All The Time

There is a strong argument that you should wear your hearing aids all of the time once you have become used to them. In order to complete your auditory rehabilitation you really need to wear the hearing aids as much as possible. In essence the brain becomes better at sound perception the more it is delivered sound. However, it really is your choice, you can make the decisions and really, you should be in the driving seat.

You make the decisions, you are in the driving seat

Beyond The Newbie

Beyond the early stages of amplification there are times that you should consider when you wear your hearing aids. We know several customers that have what they call a deaf day. A day where they don’t use their hearing aids for a long period of time or perhaps at all. Normally it is a day where they are on their own and expect no visitors. They simply like to have a day of quiet or near quiet. So if you fancy just getting away from the world and relaxing, feel free to remove your hearing aids and chill out.

In The Shower

Please god not in the shower, unless of course the aids are water proof or designed to be immersed in water. For instance a lot of the new Phonak Venture hearing aids are okay to immerse in water of up to three foot for a limited amounts of time. So if you jump in the shower and forget to take them off, you don’t really have to worry. Don’t shower or swim with your hearing aids unless you know they are suitable

Sweating A Lot?

Again, if you are exercising or sweating a lot you should consider taking your hearing aids out. Although as with the shower and swimming if your hearing aids are designed to manage then you have no need to worry. Matt Gilbert, who is one of our customers, wears his hearing aids while playing rugby for Worcester Warriors. In fact his hearing loss is such that he needs his hearing aids to hear anything. So the answer here is if your hearing aids are designed for it, no worries, if they aren’t just make sure that you be sensible.

If you have any questions about the Phonak Naida range or you would like to experience the difference, call us on 01905 617803 or book your appointment online now.