Getting a hearing loss diagnosis can bring on a flood of emotions: surprise, frustration, denial, relief, grief or even fear. We know that any diagnosis portends a big change, and that starting a new treatment of any sort can be overwhelming. You may have a hard time at first envisioning how this will be your “new normal.” Hearing loss treatment shouldn’t disrupt your daily life, but enhance it, so let’s discuss some ways to transition into this new phase.
Establishing Hearing Aid Routines
In the morning, put your hearing aids in. In the evening, take them out and give them a quick spot clean. These small actions will happen daily and take less than 10 minutes; think of them as simple, daily routines. Better yet, add these routines to a habit you already have, like brushing your teeth or putting in your contacts.
Treating these actions like daily habits rather than grand lifestyle changes helps your brain become more comfortable and acquainted with the actions you need to take. Additionally, repeating the same action consistently in the same context helps you build habits faster, to the point where you might automatically do your habit action when triggered, much like how you automatically buckle your seatbelt when you enter a car or wash your hands after using the bathroom.
Designate a Place for Your Hearing Aids
Looking for something you need and not being able to find it is stressful. During this phase of acclimation, the last thing you need is to associate your hearing aids with stress or uncertainty. To combat this, designate a place for your hearing aids immediately after bringing them home. Every time you take your hearing aids out at home, place them in the same spot. This spot should be accessible and easy to reach (although make sure they’re out of reach for kids and pets!).
Adjusting Your Mindset
Like any health plan, beginning hearing loss treatment will involve significant adjustments and may require mental reframing. We strongly recommend making a conscious effort to recognize small wins after you start treatment. Untreated hearing loss is strongly correlated with feelings of loneliness, embarrassment and social isolation; celebrate the moments where your hearing aids help you feel connected again. Recognize the wins of reconnecting with your loved ones and engaging in social settings.
Schedule Your Follow-Up Appointments in Advance
Your hearing loss treatment will involve regular follow-up appointments with your hearing health provider. Avoid scheduling these on an ad-hoc basis, and instead schedule them in advance and put them on the calendar. This will cause you to treat the appointments with greater importance and make you more likely to make your appointments.
To learn more, contact North Alabama ENT Associates. If you need to schedule an appointment for a hearing test or a follow-up appointment, call us today to set something up.