Do I Need to Use A Hearing Aid Right Away, or Can I Wait?

Hearing loss usually does not get better on its own. If you delay using a hearing aid, sound signals do not reach your brain. Because the brain is not processing those sounds, over time it finds it harder to make sense of them, and this leads to a loss of understanding. If you do not start wearing a hearing aid early, you will often ask the people around you to repeat what they say, and you may feel your quality of life going down. Over time this can lead to withdrawal and depression. This is why we recommend that you start using a hearing aid as soon as possible.

Related pages: Free hearing test, Home visits.

A first step before waiting

To decide whether to use a hearing aid, your hearing first needs to be measured. Some hearing loss comes from causes such as an earwax blockage or a middle ear problem, which a doctor can address. This is why an examination by an ENT doctor and a hearing test show which path is right for you. If hearing loss starts suddenly, you should see an ENT doctor without waiting. A specialist decides whether a device is needed.

Why starting early is easier

In people who start using a device early, the brain adapts more easily because it still recognises the sounds. The adjustment period usually takes a few weeks, and during this time the brain gets used to the sounds it is hearing again. After many years of waiting, this adaptation can take longer, and understanding speech may need more effort. Hearing well also makes it easier to join conversations, talk on the phone and notice warning sounds in the street. This helps you move about with confidence in daily life.

If you do not feel ready

It is natural to feel unsure. In this case, having your hearing measured at regular intervals lets you follow whether the loss is progressing. At Pendik Ses İşitme you can have a free hearing test and try devices before you decide. For older relatives who find it hard to come to the centre, a hearing test at home is also possible.

Support from the family

A person with hearing loss often notices the problem later than the people around them. The television volume creeping up, difficulty on the phone or staying quiet at busy family meals are signs the family can watch for. Bringing your relative to the test and being with them at the first adjustments makes it easier for them to get used to the device. Turning your face towards them when you speak, and speaking slowly and clearly without shouting, also makes communication easier.