How to Get the Most Benefit from Your Hearing Aids
- David Engelman
- Jun 8, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step towards better hearing by choosing to wear hearing aids. Whether you’ve just come home from your fitting appointment or you’re still adjusting to daily use, it’s completely normal to feel both excited and a little overwhelmed.
Hearing aids are a valuable addition to your everyday life, but like any new routine, they require some time and commitment to get used to. If you've purchased your hearing aids privately, you’ve also made a significant investment—so it’s only natural to want to make the most of it.
Below, we’ll explore the key factors that help you gain the maximum benefit from your hearing aids.
What Makes Hearing Aid Use Successful?
Assuming your hearing aids have been correctly prescribed, fitted, and programmed for your hearing needs, the following tips can make a significant difference in how well you hear and how confident you feel using your devices.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these:
1) Learning the Basics
This may seem obvious, but having a solid understanding of how to use your hearing aids day-to-day is absolutely essential. Your audiologist will go over this during your fitting, but it’s common to need a refresher as you settle into using them.
Most hearing aids also come with an instruction booklet—read it while the fitting process is still fresh in your mind.
Here are the key basics to get right:
a) Changing or Charging the Batteries
Zinc-air batteries: Insert the battery with the flat, shiny (positive) side facing up. Incorrect insertion may prevent the hearing aid from working—or even cause damage. Battery life varies by model, so ask your audiologist for guidance.
Rechargeable hearing aids: Make sure the hearing aids are seated correctly in their charger every night. They should be fully charged and ready to go each morning.
b) Wearing the Hearing Aids Properly
Each model has a specific method for correct placement. If the devices aren’t worn correctly, they may not work optimally, and can cause discomfort, reduced clarity, or feedback (whistling). If in doubt, book a quick review with your audiologist.
c) Replacing the Wax Filters
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids typically have wax filters to protect the speaker. These can block easily and should be replaced at least once a month—or more often if you produce a lot of earwax. If your hearing aid suddenly stops working, a clogged filter is often the culprit. Ask your audiologist to show you how to change the filters if you’re unsure.
2) Consistent Use
To get the most out of your hearing aids, it’s crucial to wear them consistently. Hearing takes place in the brain, not just the ears, and your brain needs time to adjust to amplified sound. At first, everything may seem louder or unnatural—but this is temporary.
Wearing your hearing aids only when you “need them”—like at social events or noisy environments—can actually make those situations harder. Instead, aim to wear them all day, every day (except when sleeping or bathing). This helps your brain relearn how to focus on important sounds and filter out the rest.
3) Regular Maintenance
Caring for your hearing aids helps extend their life and ensures optimal performance.
Clean your hearing aids daily, especially the domes or ear moulds. Use a soft cloth or wipe.
Replace domes regularly if you wear RIC hearing aids.
Change tubing on behind-the-ear (BTE) models every six months.
Brush the microphones gently to remove dust or debris.
Store devices in a dry place—a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying jar can be helpful, especially if moisture is an issue.
We recommend professional maintenance appointments every six months for deep cleaning and performance checks.
4) Realistic Expectations
One of the biggest obstacles to hearing aid success is unrealistic expectations.
Hearing aids are powerful tools, but they don’t restore hearing to “normal.” Think of them like a walking stick—it offers support and mobility, but doesn’t remove the need for care or awareness.
Even with the most advanced hearing aids, you may still find noisy environments challenging. This is because sound is being delivered through a damaged auditory system. Your audiologist will help you understand what your hearing aids can realistically achieve, based on your test results and lifestyle.
That said, when used consistently and properly, hearing aids can dramatically improve your quality of life.
5) Good Communication Tactics
Even with hearing aids, poor communication habits can get in the way.
Avoid speaking from other rooms, turning your back, or talking over loud background noise. Encourage those around you to get your attention before speaking, face you directly, and minimise distractions.
Lipreading (or “speechreading”) is a natural part of communication. You might also benefit from joining a local lipreading class—often available for free through charities and community organisations.
6) Getting Additional Help
Sometimes, hearing aids alone aren’t enough. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) can fill in the gaps—for example, when watching TV, using the phone, or hearing in noisy group settings.
Some accessories work directly with your hearing aids, while others operate independently. If you’re employed and struggling with hearing at work, government-funded schemes like Access to Work may cover the cost of these solutions.
For home safety, equipment like vibrating alarm clocks, flashing doorbells, or amplified smoke detectors can also be helpful. A good resource for these products is Connevans, or you can contact your local council to arrange a home hearing needs assessment.
Finally, don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Let people know how best to communicate with you—this can go a long way in preventing frustration on both sides.
Final Thoughts
With the right habits, regular support, and realistic expectations, hearing aids can significantly improve your life. They don’t cure hearing loss, but they can make your daily communication easier and far less tiring.
If you ever feel unsure about how your hearing aids are performing, or if you have questions about your progress, don’t hesitate to reach out to your audiologist.
At Finchley Hearing, we’re here to support you every step of the way. As a private, independent audiology clinic in North London, we’re committed to ethical, evidence-based care that puts your needs first.
If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it using the social media icons below. You can also subscribe to our blog at the bottom of the page to stay informed whenever we publish a new post.
