Some people put on a hearing aid and hear better rightaway. For most, there is more of an adjustment period. The single mostimportant factor in the process is the attitude and commitment of thewearerÑand the development of realistic expectations.

Just as if you had a knee replacement or other medicalprocedure, you can expect to go through a period of rehabilitation,followed by adjustment to your new circumstances. You can also expectthat this will take some time. You'll need both a willingness to gothrough that process, as well as the patience to re-learn a new way ofhearing.

Part of that re-learning is recognizing that hearingaids won't replicate the way you used to hear, nor will they restore orprevent further loss. Most people gain significant improvement in theirsense of hearing with hearing aids, though it is a gradual process thatcan and will take some time. To learn more, select from the topicslisted at right.