About Trial Periods
Trial periods vary by state and provider. Most states require 30 days, while California and some other states mandate 45 days. This guide covers the full adjustment journey through your entire trial period, whether it's 30, 45, or even 60 days. We'll focus on milestones and phases rather than exact day counts, so you can follow along no matter where you are.
What to Expect: The Journey Ahead
Getting new hearing aids is a positive choice to benefit your health, but let's be honest—it's also an adjustment. Your brain hasn't heard certain sounds in months or even years, and suddenly everything is back. That rustling paper, the hum of the refrigerator, your own footsteps—it can feel overwhelming at first.
Here's what makes this process easier: knowing what to expect. This guide walks you through each phase of your trial period, from that first fitting appointment through the full adjustment period. You'll learn what to expect, how to troubleshoot common issues, and when to reach out to your audiologist for support.
Key Success Factor
Research shows that people who wear their hearing aids consistently during the trial period—at least 8-10 hours daily—have significantly better long-term outcomes. Your brain needs regular, and consistent, input to adapt. Audiologists agree that consistency is one of the most important priorities in these early weeks.
Phase 1: The First Week (Days 1-7)
Getting Started: Your Fitting Appointment
Building the foundation for success
Day 1: Your Fitting Appointment
Your audiologist will program and fine-tune your hearing aids based on your specific hearing loss and lifestyle needs. This isn't a one-and-done process—expect multiple follow-up adjustments.
Days 2-3: Start Slow at Home
Begin in quiet, familiar environments. This is not the time to test them at a loud restaurant or concert.
- Wear them for at least 2-4 hours in your home doing normal activities
- Listen to familiar sounds: running water, your own voice, TV at normal volume
- Take notes on what sounds too loud, too soft, or strange
- Your own voice may sound different, as it does when you listen to your recorded voice.
- Give yourself grace if you feel tired—your brain is working hard to process new information. It's okay to take listening breaks.
Normal vs. Concerning
Normal: Your own voice sounds strange, paper rustling seems loud, you're tired after a few hours.
Contact your audiologist if: You experience pain, extreme dizziness, severe feedback that won't stop, or sounds are distorted even at low volumes.
Days 4-7: Gradually Increase Wear Time
Build up to 6-8 hours daily. Start introducing slightly more challenging environments:
- Conversations with one or two people
- Background music or TV
- Short trips outside (walking around the neighborhood)
- Quiet restaurants or cafes during off-peak hours
What's happening in your brain: Your auditory cortex is "waking up" after potentially years of reduced input. Sounds you haven't heard in a long time—birds chirping, leaves rustling, your refrigerator humming—will seem unnaturally loud because they're new (again) to you.
Phase 2: Weeks 2-3 (Days 8-21)
Making Adjustments: Fine-Tuning Your Experience
Building confidence and addressing challenges
Your First Follow-Up Appointment
This appointment typically happens around Day 10-14. Bring your notes about what's working and what isn't. Be specific:
- "Restaurant conversations are still difficult" ✓ Good
- "Everything sounds bad" ✗ Too vague
- "My wife's voice sounds tinny or sharp when she's in the kitchen" ✓ Great
Your audiologist can adjust various settings: overall volume, specific frequency bands, noise reduction features, and more. They can also adjust fit and physical comfort as well as offer suggestions for optimizing the technology. Don't be shy about asking for changes—this is what the trial period is for!
Expanding Your Listening Environments
By week 2-3, aim for 10-12 hours of daily wear, or most of your waking hours. Now you're ready to test more challenging situations:
Group Settings
Try small group conversations (3-5 people). Position yourself to see faces, as visual cues help tremendously. Put your back to the background noise.
Phone Calls
Many hearing aids have phone programs or Bluetooth connectivity. Test these features early and often.
Public Spaces
Visit grocery stores, libraries, or shopping centers during busy times to practice with background noise.
Driving
Wear them while driving to adjust to road noise and ensure you can hear emergency vehicles and navigation.
Common Week 2-3 Challenges
- This often improves naturally as you adjust and wear hearing aids consistently
- Your audiologist can create a larger vent in custom molds
- Try open-fit domes if you're using closed domes (with recommendation from your audiologist)
- Speak at your normal volume—resist the urge to whisper
- This is very common and usually resolves within 3-4 weeks
- Your audiologist can adjust high-frequency gain
- Try eating softer foods first to ease into it
- Consider a "restaurant" or "comfort" program with less amplification
- Face who you want to hear to get best benefit from hearing aid features
- Position yourself with your back to major noise sources
- Make sure your noise reduction features are activated (this is usually automatic)
- Use directional microphone programs in restaurants (this is usually automatic)
- Consider upgrading to higher-tier technology with better speech-in-noise processing if this is your primary concern
Phase 3: Weeks 4-6 (Days 22-45)
Full Integration: Making Your Decision
Moving from adjustment to acceptance
By week 4-6, you should be wearing your hearing aids most of your waking hours (12-14+ hours daily). For California residents with 45-day trial periods, these final weeks are crucial for testing your devices in every important listening situation before your trial ends.
Week 4-5: The Turning Point
Many users report that something "clicks" around week 4-5. Sounds that seemed overwhelming now feel normal. Your brain has adapted, and the hearing aids start feeling less like devices and more like just... hearing.
This is when you should:
- Test them in ALL your important listening environments (work meetings, religious services, hobbies, social events)
- Try all available programs and features (streaming audio, TV connectivity, directional microphones)
- Have honest conversations with family about whether they've noticed improvements
- Schedule your final trial period check-in with your audiologist
Week 6 (Days 36-45): Decision Time for California Residents
California's 45-day trial period gives you extra time to be absolutely sure. Use these final days wisely:
Important for California Residents
Your 45-day trial period is counted from your date of delivery, which is your fitting appointment. Mark your calendar clearly, and remember that "45 days" means the return must be initiated by Day 45, not after. If Day 45 falls on a weekend, contact your provider on the last business day before to clarify their policy.
Making the Right Decision
Signs They're Working
- You're understanding conversations better, even if not perfectly
- Family members report they don't have to repeat themselves as often
- You're more engaged in social situations rather than withdrawing
- You feel less exhausted at the end of social events
- You're catching sounds you were missing (doorbell, turn signals, birds)
- You're wearing them consistently without being reminded
Signs You Might Need Changes
- Persistent physical discomfort (pain, irritation, soreness)
- Constant feedback (whistling) that adjustments haven't resolved
- You're not wearing them regularly because they're too bothersome
- Your specific listening priorities aren't being met even after adjustments
- You feel they're not providing adequate benefit for the investment
Remember: Returning hearing aids during the trial period doesn't mean hearing aids won't work for you—it might just mean these particular ones aren't the right fit. Your audiologist can help you explore other options.
Pro Tips for Success
Keep a Journal
Note daily wear time, challenging situations, and questions for your audiologist. This data is invaluable for adjustments.
Be Patient with Yourself
Your brain needs time to adjust to new hearing. Feeling frustrated or tired is completely normal in the first few weeks.
Communicate Clearly
Tell family and friends you're adjusting to hearing aids. Their patience and feedback will help tremendously.
Use Training Resources
Many manufacturers offer auditory training apps that can speed up your adjustment process.
Establish a Routine
Put your hearing aids in every morning like brushing your teeth. Consistency builds the habit and accelerates adjustment.
Don't Hesitate to Call
Your audiologist wants you to succeed. Call with questions rather than struggling in silence.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified audiologist or healthcare provider regarding your specific hearing needs.