General information only. It does not replace advice from your own audiologist or GP.
What to expect
- RNID says hearing aids cannot restore natural hearing and it can take time to adjust to new sounds.
- Everyday sounds — your own voice, footsteps, paper rustling — may seem louder or different at first.
- Listening can be tiring; RNID notes people often report listening fatigue, especially at the end of a busy day.
- Research on acclimatisation (getting used to amplified sound) shows gains in some people that are usually modest and vary; regular wear was one factor linked to it.
Follow-up appointments
The NHS says another appointment is usually arranged a few weeks after fitting to check how things are going. Make a note of situations that are hard or sounds that bother you, so your hearing aids can be adjusted.
Tips
- Wear them regularly — see why wear them all day.
- Start in quieter places, then try busier ones.
- Practise putting them in and taking them out, cleaning and charging (hearing aid help).
- If something doesn't feel or sound right, try the hearing aid fixer.
- Ask family to use the communication tips.
When to contact us
If your hearing aids hurt, whistle, or you are finding it hard to wear them, don't give up — ask us.
Ask the clinic
Questions about your own hearing? Ask us at your next appointment.
Sources
- RNID: Understanding hearing loss and hearing aids
- NHS: Hearing aids and implants
- Auditory acclimatisation in new adult hearing aid users: systematic review (2025)
Checked October 2026. If anything here differs from what your clinician tells you, follow your clinician.