Hearing loss is, for many people, part of the aging process. This can be due to the nerves in the ear being damaged or from wear and tear on the parts of the ear that conduct sound. Some hearing loss can be corrected by using hearing aids, small devices that fit in or around the ear to amplify sound. You should talk with an audiologist (a specialist in hearing loss) and determine the extent of your hearing loss before purchasing a hearing aid.
Step 1
Select the kind of hearing aid that's best for you. Depending on your type of hearing loss, an audiologist might recommend a behind-the-ear device, an in-the-ear hearing aid or one that is inserted into your ear canal. Some people prefer behind-the-ear devices, because they don't make your ears feel plugged. However, people with severe hearing loss might benefit more from aids implanted into the ear canal. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you'll need two hearing aids to give your brain a more natural signal.
Step 2
Wear your aid as much as possible while you adjust to it. Some people find hearing aids to be uncomfortable at first until they become accustomed to the feeling. Other people find that the sound of their own voices resonates differently in their heads when they wear hearing aids. It can take time to become comfortable with your hearing aids, so be patient.
Step 3
Maintain and clean your hearing aid. Earwax can accumulate on the device and damage it. Hairspray also can damage hearing aids, too. So talk be sure to clean the devices frequently. Also, change the battery regularly. A hearing aid typically beeps or gives some other signal when the battery is getting low.
