Wearing a hearing aid for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. After all, you’re experiencing a whole new way of listening to the world around you. Our SoundGate team compiled a few tips for getting used to hearing aids, so you can enjoy all of your favorite sounds sooner.
Wearing a hearing aid for the first time takes an adjustment, but these recommendations can ease this transition.
If you’re wearing a hearing aid for the first time, make a commitment to put them in every day. The more you wear them, the faster they’ll integrate into your lifestyle.
Start by wearing them for a few hours every day, giving yourself short breaks as needed. Gradually shorten those breaks until you no longer need them—the aim being to wear them all day.
Some discomfort is to be expected at first—It can take time for the skin around the ears to adjust to their new neighbors. Give yourself 1-2 weeks. If tenderness persists beyond that, it may signal a more significant issue we need to address. We may need to remake your hearing aids—our goal is to create a comfortable fit.
First, let’s ensure you don’t have ear wax build-up being pushed in by the hearing aid. If you’re experiencing severe or ongoing pain, report it to your audiologist immediately.
There’s a lot to learn when getting used to hearing aids. Learn about your devices and find community in local hearing aid classes! Check out the Hearing Loss Association of America – Twin Cities Chapter. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month over Zoom, September through May.
It’s important to reintroduce your ears (and consequently your brain) to this new way of hearing. You can do that by trying to locate where different sounds are coming from or tuning into an audiobook, talk radio, or a favorite podcast. Regularly committing to these practices can help your brain learn a new way of listening and processing information.
With your new hearing helpers, you might suddenly find that background noises have become overwhelming. That’s to be expected. Be patient as you get used to them (and you will get used to them!). It just takes time.
Getting used to hearing aids won’t happen overnight. You may feel annoyed or even frustrated during this transition period, especially when it comes to background noise. If you’re finding this period difficult, remember it’s normal. Your ears have been functioning a certain way, and now they need time to settle into a new way of life.
Believe it or not, laughter can also help make the process easier. Whether you mishear a comment or can’t get over how loud the refrigerator is (how have you never noticed that before?!), joking with loved ones can ease the stress of wearing hearing aids for the first time.
Whether you’re wearing hearing aids for the first time or you’ve been enjoying their benefits for years, the SoundGate Hearing team can help make the experience better for you.
We help folks just like you get used to their hearing aids every single day. From talking you through hearing aid side effects to empowering you with a maintenance routine, we are your experts!
And our week-long, no-obligation, at-home trial period means you can wear your new devices in and around your home before deciding if they’re right for you. We want you to feel supported, informed, and confident.
Wearing a hearing aid for the first time can transform your day-to-day life. Make an appointment for a hearing aid evaluation with our compassionate team of Twin Cities audiologists. Along the way, tell us what you’re thinking and feeling—the more you can tell us what’s going on, the more we can help!
We have four Twin Cities-adjacent locations:
Blaine, Minnesota
Buffalo, Minnesota
Edina, Minnesota
Monticello, Minnesota
Until we meet again,
Dr. Sarah Binfet
Hello, I am Sarah! I have been an Audiologist since 2019 when I received my doctorate degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona and undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. I have a passion to help people with their hearing healthcare. Coming from a family with hearing impaired individuals, I know the importance for personalized hearing care and best Audiology practices. Raised in small town Minnesota, I enjoy my time being outside, on the golf course or on the lake up north. I have 2 young children who keep me on my toes and always laughing.
My name is Brooke, and I have been working at SoundGate Hearing since July of 2023. I love being a part of a team that puts the customers first. Being able to help others has always been a passion of mine. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and traveling.
I have worked in a variety of roles in the hearing industry since graduating from Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. I have worked at SoundGate Hearing since 2013 and have substantial experience with both the technical and business sides of the industry. I understand the fundamental need to provide strong support for our patients. I spend my free time away from the office with my active family. I enjoy a wide variety of activities, including travel, hiking, camping, fishing, and all things outdoors. I am a passionate hockey and soccer parent and fan.
Hello, I am Kara, and I am so excited to continue serving the Buffalo area and providing hearing care at SoundGate Hearing. I grew up in SW, MN, in a small town, and I love the sense of community that small towns offer. I have worked at SoundGate since 2019 and love the personalized care this clinic provides patients. In my free time, I enjoy reading, staying active, spending time outdoors, and soaking up as much lake time as I can in our short MN summers.
Welcome! I am Dr. Sarah Binfet and I have been a Doctor of Audiology since 2006. I proudly served Veterans at the Minneapolis VA for nearly 9 years. I established Blaine Hearing Center in 2013 in conjunction with my husband's optometric practice. It has been a wonderful partnership and enjoyable to see each other at work! In 2015, I had the opportunity to grow my practice when I purchased SoundGate Hearing from my mentor, Dr. Wendy Davis. I genuinely love what I do and feel that helping people hear is essential to their quality of life. I believe in creating a welcoming and supportive environment in which the patient and their families can be educated on their hearing loss, hearing aid options, and how to have the best success with their hearing aids. At SoundGate, we deeply care about our patients and their outcomes. We want everyone to genuinely enjoy their hearing aids and the benefits they bring. I am committed to offering my patients the most up to date digital hearing aid technology, which is why I carry a full line of manufacturers. There is no one right hearing aid for everyone. It is my job to help my patients navigate the complex works of hearing aids and decide on which products best meet their needs, goals and budget. I have discovered the benefit of giving patients the opportunity to trial hearing aids out of the office. A hearing aid trial is most helpful in navigating the complex journey of better hearing. A Minnesotan through and through, I was raised in Eden Prairie, MN, received my undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and my Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Minnesota. When not at work, you will find me cooking, hitting up the newest restaurants and fitting in as much yoga as possible. During the weekend, you will find my husband Rodney and me with our three kids, Evelyn, Jake and Sam, loving the outdoors at our family cabin on Leech Lake. I look forward to meeting you.
My name is Kathy, and I am a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) with SoundGate Hearing. I have been in hearing health for 18 years. I am passionate about helping people live their best lives with the best hearing possible. Getting to know patients is a joy for me. My position is a lot like a Nurse Practitioner’s. I am licensed to perform many services to help you while I work with and for the Audiologists for your best care. In my spare time, you will find my husband and I enjoying our three busy grandsons, reading with my book club, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I am so glad to be part of the SoundGate Hearing team.