A Beginner's Guide to Adjusting to Your Hearing Aid

Hearing aids can make a radical difference in the quality of life for those who experience hearing loss, and that's a big group. Almost 30 million adults in the US would benefit from such devices, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The same research also shows that less than 20% of those affected use hearing aids, and many patients quickly abandon them because they're uncomfortable wearing them or dissatisfied with the results.

The stumbling block is often the break-in period, when patients are adjusting to using their new hearing aids. If you're experiencing hearing loss, try these suggestions to help you adapt so you can boost your confidence and participate more fully in life.

Steps to Take on Your Own:

1. Start gradually.

Try wearing your hearing aid for just a few hours a day at first, and keep increasing the time until you're eventually wearing it for all your waking hours. It also helps to begin in a quiet place like your home.

2. Prepare for background noise.

Quiet places are preferable because your hearing has probably been declining for years and you may be overwhelmed by unfamiliar sounds. Phones ringing and appliances humming will seem very loud until your brain learns to screen out such things.

3. Coordinate the input.

Watching others while they talk or using captions for watching TV can help retrain your brain. The visual cues will make the sounds easier to process.

4. Turn down the TV.

Ask a family member or friend to reset your TV to a normal volume. It will give you a sense of where to set the volume on your hearing aid too.

5. Practice with loved ones.

Familiar voices are easier to understand. Rediscover the joy of feeling comfortable conversing with others.

6. Collect audiobooks.

Professional voices are also good to practice with. Listen to books on tape or watch the broadcasters on TV news shows.

7. Be patient.

There's a wide range of individual differences, so it might take a single week or 6 months to adapt to your hearing aid. Either way, remember the lifelong benefits of being able to hear your grandchildren or your favorite music again.

Steps to Take with Your Hearing Team:

1. Schedule follow-up visits.

You'll probably need to make several appointments with your audiologist to have your hearing aid fitted properly. Let them know any questions or concerns you have.

2. Clarify your expectations.

Keep in mind that hearing aids enhance your hearing but they cannot duplicate what your ears used to do naturally.

3. Adjust the volume.

Most hearing aids automatically adjust to different situations like going from a quiet restaurant to a noisy street. Ask your audiologist to help you find a comfortable setting.

4. Keep a diary.

Create a daily journal to record any issues you're having. Sharing it with your hearing care team will help you monitor your progress and pinpoint areas where you need assistance.

5. Learn proper maintenance.

Keep your device in good working order by following the instructions on how to care for it. For example, you may need a dehumidifier to keep it dry and safely stored overnight.

6. Try again.

Even if you were dissatisfied with a hearing aid in the past, you may be pleasantly surprised if you give them a second chance. Thanks to technological advances, there may now be a hearing solution that would work out well for you.

Keep your hearing aid out of the junk drawer and on your head by knowing how to navigate through the initial transition period. Regaining your hearing is worth it.
You'll feel more connected with your loved ones and the world around you, and discover the sounds that you've been missing.

6 Ways to Prevent Health Damage from Your Smartphone

Are you permanently attached to your smartphone and constantly check it for updates? Although this device can help you stay in touch, it can also have negative repercussions on your health.

Follow these tips to learn about negative effects from your smartphone and how you can prevent them:

1. Neck pain and damage.

You may be adding extra stress to your neck by looking down as you type.

* Medical professionals have noticed that people are complaining more about neck pain, and it's caused by smartphones.

* You can damage your neck and cause serious issues that affect your mobility. It's important to exercise and avoid stressing your neck as you use your phone.

* To prevent this damage, hold your phone up higher so you're not constantly looking down.

2. Hearing damage.

Does your smartphone have a loud ring tone? Do you spend hours listening to music on your phone? You can damage your ears by listening to music that is too loud.

* Your ears have sensitive hairs that can be hurt by loud sounds.

* It's important to adjust the volume on your phone, so it's not too loud. You'll also be more courteous to others who may not want to hear your favorite rap song each time your phone rings.

3. Finger and hand damage.

Are you spending hours typing on your tiny smartphone screen? You can hurt your fingers by using your phone too much.

* You may suffer from cramps, strains, sprains, and other hand issues. Tendonitis and text claw are common concerns.

* It's important to pay attention to how much you use your smartphone and rest your fingers often.

4. Sleep concerns.

The blue light emitted from your smartphone affects melatonin levels in your body and can interrupt your sleep cycle.

* Since many people keep their phones next to their beds and check them, they're hurting their ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

* To prevent sleep cycle interruptions, avoid using your phone for several hours before you go to bed, and turn it off at night.

5. Eye stress.

The small screen on a smartphone can hurt your eyes as you squint to see tiny words and images. You can also experience headaches from the eye strain.

* To prevent eye strain, increase the font size on your phone and switch to a bigger computer screen for important tasks.

6. Distraction concerns. As you check your email or social media accounts on the phone, you're at risk of being distracted. You may not be paying attention to your surroundings and can get hurt.

* Researchers have noticed that distracted walking while using a phone is a serious issue.

* If you're paying attention to the phone and nothing else, you're at a higher risk of running into another person or object. You're also in danger of getting hit by a car that you may not see. This type of distraction can lead to major accidents.

* Prevent accidents by staying off your phone while driving or walking.

It's not easy to change your dependence on smartphones, but it's important to consider the health factors. Use your phone safely and prevent unnecessary challenges to your health.

Learn more about your health online when you read the rest of our information here about: Hearing Loss guide and also download the free health report available there!

Warren Tattersall has been a full time nutritional consultant for over 35 years and works with people all over the world to help them improve their health, increase their personal energy levels and to use supplements to assist with diet related health issues.

Just send him a note on the form here - Contact Us - to request a personal no obligation one-on-one consultation with Warren

New order website for Australian customers:

For all the subscribers that don't want to talk to anyone, just want to buy their products direct, I'm creating these websites that process orders for you once you register with them.


The Australia GoHerbalifeSite is the first one completed, other countries will come along soon...
Australian customers: Click this link or tap on the banner below to check it out and get registered to place your orders... and remember your 15% discount code: HLIntro15




Did you find this post fun, informative and useful? If so, please share it with others!

If you have a comment, question or suggestion, please leave a comment below!