Getting into a good routine in the early days with your hearing aids can be very important. We have helped hundreds of thousands of people get back to enjoying life with hearing, and we know that there are factors that can contribute to making this initial period with hearing aids a success.
We have compiled a list of five useful tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life.
Top 5 useful everyday tips
1. Batteries are coded by colour and number
Hearing aid users quickly get used to changing batteries at home. Going on vacation can, however, be a different matter if you need to restock on batteries.
Some wearers are not sure which batteries their hearing aids use, which can pose a problem when buying new ones oversea. That is why batteries are universally coded by colour and number: yellow size 10, orange size 13, brown size 312 and blue size 675.
You can simply check the colour of your existing battery pack and match them to those you find in the local pharmacies and supermarkets. If you don’t have the battery pack with you, you can use the batteries currently in your hearing aids for size comparison.
2. Store your hearing aids in the same place every day
Find a designated drawer to put your hearing aids into at night – or use the case that comes with them. If you are doing activities that require you to remove your hearing aids, make a habit of storing them in the case, which makes them easy to find again.
The case is useful both at home and away. If you have a dog or a cat at home, it’s a fair bet that he or she would love to chew on your hearing aids. The scent reminds the dog of its owner, so be sure to keep them in a safe place such as the case. Children also have a habit of seeking out hearing aids to play with – keep them away from babies and toddlers alike.
3. Create a routine
Taking your hearing aids off and putting them back on in the same place can be very helpful in building a solid routine. This could be after combing your hair, showering or brushing your teeth – 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 – if possible – you can make life easier in situations where there is lots of noise around you.
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 and allows them to help you if needed. It also serves to destigmatise hearing loss and lets the person you are talking to know that you may need to move to a quieter, brighter place to continue your conversation.