7 Things to Expect from Hearing Aids

Author: Vicky Hurst
Published: October 18, 2016
Last reviewed by: Leightons Clinical Team
Last reviewed: February 04, 2026

Hearing loss usually develops gradually, so many people can be unaware that they have a problem until friends and family comment on the issue. Many people also struggle to accept or admit that they have a hearing impairment, often delaying getting hearing aids for around seven years on average. So if you have decided that it’s time to get hearing aids, this decision means you have already overcome the most difficult step.

What is wearing hearing aids like?

1. Have realistic expectations from your new hearing aids – they will certainly improve your listening experience but they are not a magic wand that will completely reverse your hearing loss.

2. When wearing hearing aids for the first time it is very common for certain sounds to appear louder and sharper than before. Your brain (and ears) will need some time to adjust to the new range of available to you. Take small breaks from wearing the hearing aids, or turn down the volume slightly to ease yourself back into the process. Begin by wearing hearing aids in quieter environments, such as your home and then gradually move on to social situations and crowded places as you adapt to the sound.

3. Practice makes perfect, so commit to wearing your hearing aids every day, even if it’s just for a few hours per day in the early stages. Slowly increase your usage each day until you are comfortable wearing them from morning until bedtime. It is at this stage that the maximum benefit from hearing aids will be achieved.

4. Your own voice will sound slightly different to you, which is quite normal. Hearing aid users commonly say that their voice produces a slight ‘echo’ in the early stages but again, this will dissipate as you adjust to this new way of hearing sound. If your own voice sounds very different, speak to your hearing care professional who can reprogram your hearing aids to reduce the effect.

5. There should be little or no whistling sounds in your hearing aids and they should not make your ears sore or tender. If any of these problems arise, please visit your hearing care professional for an adjustment.

6. You may become aware of soft sounds that were not audible earlier e.g. the hum of the fridge, the sound of footsteps, or the clock ticking. These sounds need to be distinct in order for you to hear speech more clearly and you will gradually adjust to hearing them.

7. Finally, remember that no two people have the same experience with hearing aids, whether it’s the sound clarity, or the amount of time taken to adjust to them. Let your progress continue at your own pace without comparing it to the experiences of others.

We’re here to help

The decision to get hearing aids is the first step in the start of a great relationship between a patient and their hearing care provider. From the beginning of your free hearing assessment, your expert Leightons audiologist will be able to advise on the best possible solution for you and your individual needs.

We provide a wide range of digital hearing aids from some of the world’s leading manufacturers, including Oticon, Phonak, ReSound and many more. We also offer a free hearing aid demonstration so you experience the difference a hearing aid can make before committing to purchase.

To book your free hearing assessment and hearing aid consultation, call us on 0800 40 20 20, book an appointment online or visit your local branch.

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How do hearing amplifiers work?
Hearing amplification devices increase the volume and might make it easier for you to hear sounds louder. Yet they not a prescribed product and do not match your individual needs. Hearing loss is extremely common – millions of people in the UK live with a hearing loss, so you’re not alone. At Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care, our expert audiologists will help you identify the best device for you, in most cases this is a Hearing Aid. What is a hearing amplifier? Much like a tiny PA system, hearing amplification devices use microphones to capture and amplify all sounds around you, before delivering it to your ear at an adequate and audible volume level. What kind of devices are available? There are plenty of hearing amplifiers designed to help you while on the telephone, watching TV, and for in-person conversations. However, these devices amplify all sounds equally and aren’t designed to support hearing loss. For an all‑round solution that adapts to your personal hearing needs, a hearing aid is often the most effective option. Our expert audiologists can assess your hearing and guide you towards the most suitable hearing aid for your lifestyle and needs. What’s the difference between a hearing aid and a hearing amplifier? All hearing aids use amplification, however, hearing aids are regulated medical devices carefully programmed and tailored to fit the hearing loss of a particular individual. This makes them more suitable for moderate to severe hearing loss. Hearing amplifiers are not medical devices and are not designed to diagnose, treat or manage hearing loss. They don’t adapt to your individual needs, meaning they offer volume without improving clarity or understanding. What are induction loops? An induction loop is an older technology system designed to help hearing aid users to hear more clearly in some specific environments. You’ll often find them in places like meeting rooms, theatres, banks, and cinemas.  Here’s how it works:  A thin cable is installed around a room or designated listening area  The system creates a magnetic field that carries speech or important sound  When you switch your hearing aid or ALDs to the T (telecoil) setting, you can hear the sound closer to you and more clear with less background noise  Induction loops can make a huge difference to day‑to‑day listening comfort. Our audiologists can help you understand how loops - and other assistive listening devices - can work with Hearing Aids.  What is Auracast? Auracast is a new Bluetooth audio technology designed to make listening more inclusive. It allows one device to broadcast high-quality sound to multiple compatible hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones at the same time, without the need for pairing. Developed with the hearing aid industry for assistive listening, Auracast could mean easier access to shared audio in public spaces such as train stations and lecture theatres. For people with hearing loss, it’s a positive step towards clearer sound and greater confidence in everyday situations. Leightons free hearing test Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care offers a free hearing test in all branches. We provide a comprehensive hearing check carried out by our experts – professionally trained hearing aid audiologists registered with the HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council), with some even members of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. Book your free hearing test now You can book an appointment online or you can call us on 0800 40 20 20 to arrange a free hearing test at your nearest Leightons branch. Alternatively, you can take the test at home. This involves the same experienced, professional audiologist you would see in branch coming to your home to carry out your hearing test with specialist portable equipment.
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