Getting Started with Hearing Aids

The small box sits on your kitchen table, still unopened. Inside are your first hearing aids—devices your audiologist assured you would make a significant difference in your daily life. You’ve been looking forward to this moment for weeks, ever since completing your hearing evaluation. But now that they’re here, you feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Will they be uncomfortable? Will everyone notice them? Will sounds immediately be clearer, or will it take time? You open the box carefully and look at the devices, smaller than you expected, wondering how something so tiny could make such a big impact.

Your audiologist scheduled your fitting appointment for tomorrow morning, and you’ve started making a mental list of questions. How long will it take to get used to them? What if they don’t work the way you hoped? You think about all the conversations you’ve struggled through recently, the television volume that’s been creeping higher, the family gatherings where you smile and nod without quite catching what everyone said. You’re ready for change, but the unknown feels intimidating.

This moment—standing at the threshold between your current hearing challenges and the promise of better hearing—is both significant and completely normal. Every person who has ever started with hearing aids has experienced some version of these feelings. The anticipation, the questions, even the nervousness about whether you’ll adapt successfully—all of these are part of beginning a journey that, for most people, leads to meaningful improvements in communication, relationships, and quality of life.

Getting started with hearing aids isn’t like getting glasses, where you put them on and everything instantly comes into sharp focus. It’s more like learning a new skill, where progress happens gradually as your brain relearns how to process sounds it hasn’t heard clearly in years. But with the right preparation, realistic expectations, and a strategic approach, this adjustment period can be smoother than you might expect. Let’s walk through what to expect and how to set yourself up for success from day one.

Your first fitting appointment: what actually happens

Your fitting appointment is more than picking up devices and leaving. It’s an educational session where your audiologist ensures your hearing aids are programmed appropriately, physically comfortable, and that you understand how to use them effectively. Plan for this appointment to take about one hour—proper fitting requires time and shouldn’t be rushed.

Programming and real ear measurements

Once the physical fit is verified, your audiologist programs your hearing aids using software based on your hearing test results (audiogram). Programming aims to amplify the frequencies where you have hearing loss while keeping comfortable sounds at appropriate levels.

Many audiologists use real ear measurement (REM) during this process. A small probe tube measures sound levels in your ear canal to verify what’s reaching your eardrum. This helps ensure your devices are delivering the intended amplification across frequencies, instead of relying only on default formulas.

Device operation and care training

After programming, your audiologist teaches the essential skills for daily hearing aid use, including:

• Insertion and removal: Practice until you can do it confidently. Proper insertion affects comfort and sound quality.
• Battery or charging: How to change disposable batteries or charge rechargeable devices, plus typical run time for your use.
• Controls and apps: What buttons or app settings do (volume, programs, streaming), and when to use them.
• Cleaning: A daily routine with the provided tools to prevent problems and extend device life.
• Moisture protection: When to remove them (shower/swim/sleep) and how to store them safely and dry.

Ask for repeat demonstrations as needed. Take notes, or ask for written instructions you can reference at home.

Setting expectations and scheduling follow-up

Before you leave, your audiologist should review what’s normal early on: background sounds may seem louder, your own voice may sound different, and you may feel listening fatigue. These experiences are common—and they usually improve with consistent use.

Schedule your first follow-up appointment before leaving (often 2–4 weeks after fitting). That visit is where real-world feedback turns into fine-tuning. Many people need several adjustments before everything feels optimized.

Your first days: managing initial experiences

The first few days are often the most challenging as you adapt to new sensations and sounds. Knowing what’s normal helps you distinguish expected adjustment experiences from problems that require help.

Sounds will seem different

Everyday sounds may seem loud or sharp at first—refrigerator hum, footsteps, paper rustling. Your own voice might sound hollow (“occlusion effect”). These perceptions are common.

Your hearing loss often developed gradually, and your brain adapted to missing certain sounds. Now those sounds are back, and your brain is relearning what to prioritize. With consistent hearing aid use, this typically improves over a few weeks.

Physical sensations take getting used to

Your ears may need time to adjust to having devices in them. A mild feeling of fullness or awareness is common early on.

But pain is not normal. If you have redness, soreness, pressure points, or irritation that prevents you from wearing them for several hours, contact your audiologist. Fit changes are often straightforward.

Recommended wearing schedule

Many people do well with a gradual schedule:

• Days 1–3: 2–4 hours daily at home
• Days 4–7: 4–6 hours, adding mild background noise
• Week 2: Aim for 8–10 hours, trying several settings
• Week 3+: Work toward all waking hours (except showering, swimming, sleeping)

Some people prefer full-day use right away if it’s tolerable. Your audiologist can advise based on your hearing loss, sensitivity, and lifestyle. Breaks are okay—quitting entirely is what slows acclimatization.

The adjustment timeline: what to expect week by week

Everyone’s experience is unique, but most people follow a similar pattern of gradual improvement.

Week one: everything feels strange

The first week is often the hardest. Common experiences include:

• Environmental sounds feel too loud
• Your voice sounds unnatural
• You feel hyper-aware of the devices
• Background sounds compete with speech
• You feel mentally tired from listening

These are usually signs your devices are providing new information and your brain is relearning. Most people improve noticeably with time and consistency.

Weeks two through four: finding your rhythm

Background sounds often start fading into the background, your voice feels more natural, and wearing the devices becomes less noticeable. This is a great time for the first follow-up appointment—your audiologist can fine-tune based on real-world experiences.

Months two through four: achieving full benefit

Many people reach confident, comfortable use somewhere between 6 weeks and 6 months, with steady improvements along the way. During this phase:

• Speech understanding improves, especially in moderately noisy places
• You build reliable habits for care and charging/batteries
• You learn which settings help in different environments
• Communication feels less effortful

Common challenges and how to solve them

Many issues during the adjustment period have practical fixes you can try before contacting your audiologist.

Feedback or whistling

Feedback happens when amplified sound leaks out and is picked up again by the microphones. Common causes and solutions:

• Improper insertion: Remove and reinsert carefully.
• Earwax: Check the device outlet/receiver for blockage and clean gently. If wax is in your ear canal, seek professional removal.
• Loose fit: You may need a different dome size or updated molds.
• Objects too close: Hats, scarves, or a phone held close can trigger feedback.

Sounds feel too loud or overwhelming

• Use volume controls (if enabled) for temporary relief.
• Take short breaks (15–30 minutes) and reinsert.
• Build difficulty gradually rather than forcing the hardest environments early.
• Bring specifics to your audiologist so they can adjust particular frequencies/situations.

Difficulty understanding speech in noise

Speech-in-noise is one of the hardest listening problems, even with high-end hearing aids. Helpful strategies include:

• Face the speaker so directional microphones can help.
• Choose your seat with your back toward noise sources.
• Use visual cues (faces and lips) to add context.
• Try a noise program or ask your audiologist about optimizing for your common environments.

Discomfort or irritation

Mild awareness can be normal, but persistent discomfort is not:

• Custom devices: Pressure points can often be buffed or remade.
• Dome-style devices: Different sizes or materials may help.
• Itching: Keep devices clean; ask about hypoallergenic options if persistent.
• Fullness/plugged feeling: May relate to occlusion; venting and programming can help.

Do not keep wearing devices that cause pain or sores—call your audiologist.

Battery life concerns

• Bluetooth streaming and certain features use more power.
• Zinc-air tip: Remove the sticker and wait 3–5 minutes before inserting.
• Keep contacts clean and store batteries in a cool, dry place.

Strategies for successful adjustment

Practice active listening exercises

• Read aloud: 10–15 minutes daily helps your brain adapt to your own voice.
• Paired listening: Follow along with an audiobook while reading the text.
• Sound identification: Label environmental sounds on purpose.
• Progress conversations: Quiet 1:1 → small groups → noisier settings.

Keep a hearing journal

Track what’s easier or harder, which sounds are bothersome, comfort issues, questions, and wins. Bring this to follow-ups—specifics lead to better adjustments.

Set progressive goals

• Week 1: 4 hours/day at home + learn cleaning routine
• Week 2: 8 hours/day + one trip to a store
• Week 3: all waking hours + a small social gathering
• Month 2: confident daily use + master your features

Involve family members

• Practice conversations in quiet settings.
• Get feedback about your voice level.
• Bring a partner to follow-ups if helpful.
• Ask for support (face you, speak clearly, reduce background noise).

Knowing when to contact your audiologist

Contact your audiologist if you experience:

• Persistent discomfort (pain, pressure points, irritation)
• Ongoing feedback despite good insertion and cleaning
• No meaningful benefit after 2–3 weeks of consistent use
• Sudden changes (muffled, distorted, much quieter)
• Visible damage or moisture inside the device
• Charging/battery failures that seem abnormal
• Overwhelming frustration—before you give up

Don’t wait for a scheduled follow-up if you’re struggling. Early fixes prevent people from abandoning hearing aids unnecessarily.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it realistically take to fully adjust to new hearing aids?

The adjustment period varies, but many people feel noticeably more comfortable after 3–4 weeks of consistent daily use. Full adaptation can take longer, especially in complex listening environments.

Why does my own voice sound so strange, and will it go back to normal?

This is often the “occlusion effect.” For many people, it improves within 1–3 weeks as your brain adapts. Fit/venting changes can also help.

Should I wear my hearing aids all day immediately, or start with just a few hours?

Both approaches can work. Gradual schedules help reduce overwhelm. If you tolerate all-day use, consistency can speed acclimatization. Your audiologist can advise based on your needs.

I’m not noticing much improvement after two weeks. Should I be worried?

Two weeks is early, but you should usually notice at least some benefit. If you notice no meaningful improvement—or if things sound worse—contact your audiologist for a check and adjustment.

Can I sleep with my hearing aids in?

Generally, no. Removing them helps prevent discomfort, feedback, and damage, and lets your ears rest.