Adjusting to Different Sound Environments

Once you feel comfortable with your hearing instruments in familiar surroundings, practice wearing them in a wider variety of sound environments. Practice selecting specific sounds and voices, focusing your attention on them as you do so. Let visual cues like facial expressions and gestures enhance your understanding.

When conversing with others, try to face the person you’re speaking with. Family members may need to know that with a hearing instrument on, loud voices can actually be irritating. Ask them to speak in a comfortable voice and minimize distractions such as covering the mouth with hands, eating or listening to a radio or TV while talking.

In public places like a meeting or church, try to sit reasonably close to the speaker and within easy visual distance. Since every space has its own sound characteristics, you may need to try different locations for best results.