New Hearing Aid Side Effects

For seniors with mild to profound hearing loss, a new pair of hearing aids can play a key role in not only daily quality of life, but also in preserving hearing health. However, as with any medical technology, some mild side effects are possible.

To help ensure that you and your loved ones enjoy the best hearing aid experience, we’ve analyzed the most common side effects users report, as well as how you can limit them. Read on to learn how you can safely reap the benefits of hearing aids, and what to do when things go wrong.

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The Most Common Side Effects Hearing Aid Users Experience

For new hearing aid wearers, there are a few possible negative side effects to be aware of. For the most part, these side effects should be mild and fixable in follow-up appointments with your audiologist. For instance, you may experience:

Headaches

As your brain slowly adjusts to the many sounds it hasn’t processed clearly in some time, mild headaches can arise. They’re particularly common in the first few days of wearing the new device. Once you start to adapt, headaches should naturally fade. If they persist or worsen instead, your audiologist may need to adjust the amplification settings or improve the fit.

Discomfort

New hearing aid wearers sometimes report a feeling of fullness or pressure in their ear, especially during the initial adjustment period. Usually, this is just a matter of getting used to having something inside the ear canal, and it tends to resolve on its own with regular use. However, if discomfort persists, there may be a fit issue that needs to be addressed.

Sound Level Issues

As you adjust to your new hearing aids, you may notice previously muffled background noises becoming too loud. While this is part of the adaptation process, you can always tweak the volume settings for effective noise reduction. On most hearing devices, you can use either the onboard button, smartphone app, or paired remote control to raise or lower the volume. If none of these options are present, you may need to contact your audiologist for assistance.

Poor Sound Quality or Feedback

When you use hearing aids, sometimes noisy environments like crowded spaces or windy sidewalks can cause unpleasant whistling or crackling noises. It’s also possible for them to experience interference from electronic or Bluetooth devices. These side effects are fairly rare, but if adjusting the volume doesn’t remedy them, an audiologist can find the cause of the feedback and make adjustments.

Itchy Ears

While hearing aids should not cause ear infections, users with sensitive ears, skin conditions, or poorly-fitted devices might feel an itching sensation in their ear canal. Your audiologist can help by either pairing you with a device that has a different shape or by recommending specific soothing lotions. Physical ear pain is not a normal side effect, and you should contact an audiologist or primary care provider immediately if it occurs.

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What Should Wearing a Hearing Aid For The First Time Feel Like?

When you wear a new pair of hearing aids for the first time, it’s normal for it to feel somewhat jarring or overwhelming. Physically speaking, you’ll be able to tell that there’s a foreign object in your ear. Mild pressure is the most reported sensation, and should fade over time.

More noticeably, sounds will appear much louder, sharper, or “echoey,” especially your own voice. You might also pick up on high-frequency sounds you haven’t heard in a while, like birds, typing, or running water. These experiences should become more normal with time, but you can lower the volume if you feel too overwhelmed or confused.

Finally, because your brain needs to work hard processing the new inputs, it’s also common to feel fatigued after a few hours of wearing your new hearing aids. As your brain adapts, it will consume less energy to hear the sounds around you.

Tips For Getting Used To Your Hearing Aids

For most users, getting used to hearing aids takes 30 to 45 days or more. Set yourself up for long-term success with these tips:

• Try them on in a controlled space: Before you try wearing them to your favorite diner or bar, first take a few hours to wear them in a quiet part of your home. This reduces the chance of being overwhelmed by new sounds.
• Practice wearing them: Spend 3-4 hours wearing your hearing aids in quiet spaces to acclimate to how they feel. You can also read aloud or listen to audiobooks to expedite the adjustment process.
• Use soft sounds as a reference point: Use your refrigerator, heater, air conditioner, or other sources of white noise to find the ideal volume settings, long before you throw yourself into noisy environments.
• Gradually increase wear time: Slowly work your way up from wearing your hearing aids for a few hours to 8-10+ hours a day. Carefully remove them if headaches or fatigue are affecting you.
• Regular check-ups: In the beginning, you should meet with your audiologist every 2 weeks for adjustments, reporting on all the experiences you’ve had for the most accurate improvements. Once you’ve adapted, you should still visit them annually or semi-annually.

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Our Takeaway: Most Hearing Aid Side Effects Are Temporary and Improve As You Adjust

If your audiologist recommends hearing aids after your hearing test, you should expect a few different side effects. As your brain adapts, the most common side effects are headaches, physical discomfort or itchiness in the ear, and issues with sound level or quality. Many of these naturally fade with regular use, but you can also hasten the adjustment process by gradually wearing them in different settings, changing the volume, and scheduling follow-up appointments with your audiologist.

Ear pain or infections are not common side effects, and you should contact your audiologist and primary care provider immediately if you experience these issues.

Ultimately, mild side effects are a normal part of wearing hearing aids for the first time, and shouldn’t be cause for concern.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hearing Aid Side Effects

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