New hearing aid side effects

It’s normal to experience some discomfort or odd sensations when you first begin using hearing aids. Common side effects include:

• Tiredness or mental fatigue: Your brain works harder to process new sounds, leaving you drained. Take breaks and pace yourself.
• Headaches: Sometimes caused by increased volume or sensitivity. Lowering the settings or readjusting the fit often helps.
• Itchiness in the ears: Usually linked to the domes or tips not fitting well. Switching to a different size or style can make a big difference.
• Distorted sounds: Your auditory system hasn’t processed these frequencies for a while, so they may seem odd at first. Give it time.
• Dizziness: Some people feel slightly off balance at first. This typically fades as your system adjusts.

Most side effects are temporary. If they persist beyond a few weeks, visit your hearing care professional to have your devices adjusted.

Hearing aid side effects: dizziness

Some people notice dizziness or a sense of imbalance when first wearing hearing aids. This happens because your auditory and balance systems are closely linked. Sudden exposure to amplified sound can temporarily confuse your system.

To manage dizziness:

• Wear hearing aids for short periods in calm environments.
• Sit down if you feel off balance and give yourself time to stabilize.
• Increase usage gradually until your body adapts.

If dizziness continues for more than a couple of weeks, consult your hearing care professional.

Hearing aid and rustling sounds

A common frustration with new hearing aids is rustling or scratching noises. This usually comes from:

• Hair brushing against the microphones
• Movement of glasses frames near the device
• Improperly seated domes or tubing

To reduce rustling, try tucking hair behind your ears, ensuring domes fit snugly, and adjusting how your glasses sit. If rustling persists, your hearing care professional can reposition the device or recommend hearing aid accessories that reduce noise interference.

Are there ways to reduce hearing aid side effects?

Yes, there are several practical ways to reduce hearing aid side effects, especially during the first few weeks of use. Here are some of the most effective strategies:

• Start gradually: Instead of wearing hearing aids all day from the start, build up usage time to let your ears and brain adjust.
• Check the fit: A poorly fitting device or dome can cause itching, soreness, or even rustling sounds. Your HCP can adjust the fit or suggest different dome sizes.
• Fine-tune the settings: Headaches, dizziness, or sounds that feel too sharp often mean the volume or programming needs adjustment. Today’s hearing aids can be reprogrammed to your comfort.
• Address earwax issues: Excess wax can cause feedback, muffled sound, or irritation. Regular cleaning and check-ups help.
• Use proper maintenance: Clean devices daily and replace domes, filters, or tubing as recommended to prevent discomfort and sound distortion.
• Practice in calm environments: Train your ears and brain in quiet settings before tackling noisy places. This reduces fatigue and sensory overload.
• Manage dizziness: If balance issues occur, sit down, take breaks, and increase wearing time slowly. Persistent dizziness should be discussed with a hearing care professional.

Most side effects improve within a few weeks as your brain adapts. If problems continue, it’s important to schedule a follow-up with your HCP — small adjustments can make a big difference.

Wearing a hearing aid with glasses

If you wear glasses, you may initially notice some awkwardness. Both devices compete for space behind your ears, and this can create discomfort or even affect sound quality. To help:

• Adjust your glasses so the arms rest comfortably without pressing too hard against the hearing aid.
• Consider using cushion guards on the glasses or the hearing aid for added comfort.
• Practice putting them on in the right order — many people find placing the hearing aids first, then sliding the glasses on carefully, works best.

With time, your ears will get used to the combination, and it becomes second nature.

How long does it take your brain to adjust to hearing aids?

Patience is key. On average, it takes about one month for your brain to adjust to hearing aids.

• Days 1–3: Sounds may seem far too loud or sharp. Limit wear to a few hours at a time.
• Week 1–2: Familiar sounds start to become more natural, but noisy places still feel overwhelming.
• Week 3–4: Comfort improves noticeably. Many people can wear their devices most of the day without discomfort.
• Beyond one month: You should feel more confident in a variety of environments, though some complex listening situations may still require effort.

Brain adjustment to hearing aids

Your brain must relearn how to interpret sounds. Years of hearing loss mean the auditory system “forgets” certain sounds. When hearing aids restore them, the brain initially perceives them as foreign or even irritating.

The adjustment involves:

• Reconnecting neural pathways: Sound signals are routed back into processing areas of the brain.
• Filtering background noise: The brain needs time to relearn how to ignore irrelevant sounds.
• Improving speech recognition: Conversations become clearer as your brain relearns to prioritize speech over noise.

This adaptation takes effort but leads to significant improvements in quality of life.

Hearing aid tips and domes for adjusting aids

Domes, the soft tips that sit in your ear canal, play a major role in comfort and sound quality. If the dome is too small, sound may leak and cause feedback. Too large, and it may feel uncomfortable or cause itching.

Tips for domes:

• Experience with different sizes to find the right fit.
• Clean them regularly to prevent wax buildup.
• Replace them as advised, since wear and tear reduces performance.

Using the right dome is one of the simplest ways to eliminate rustling, improve sound clarity, and reduce side effects. Your hearing care professional will recommend the best domes for you to use.

AI hearing aids and adjustment

Digital AI-powered hearing aids can make the adjustment process smoother by automatically learning your listening preferences and adapting to different environments. Unlike traditional devices, which may require frequent manual adjustments, AI hearing aids use machine learning to distinguish between speech, background noise, and environmental sounds, delivering clearer audio with less effort from the user. This can reduce common side effects such as fatigue or difficulty in noisy settings, while also helping the brain adjust more quickly. For new wearers, this means less frustration during the early days and a more natural listening experience as the aids continuously refine their performance over time.