New hearing aids can open you up to a world of sounds you may not realize you’ve been missing. Many cases of hearing loss occur gradually, which means regular sounds like the birds chirping or the hum of your stove may have been lost over the last few years. As you adjust to your new hearing aids, you may start to notice sounds that you haven’t heard in a while or perhaps have never really listened to before. Some of them may surprise you and delight you, especially if they are sounds you realize you have been missing without even knowing it.

Here are some of the surprising sounds that you might notice when you get new hearing aids.

Sounds Associated with Movement

We can make lots of small sounds as we move around. These are some of the first sounds that can start to go when you lose some of your hearing, so it can be interesting to start hearing them again. This could include the sounds that your hair makes when it brushes against your face or when you dry it with a towel. People with long hair might find the sound of their hair when it moves particularly noticeable.

You could also hear the movement of your clothes as you shift positions. As fabric brushes against fabric or even your skin and other surfaces, it too makes a sound that you can notice. Listen out for the swishing of flowy fabric, the click-clack of heels or the brush of material against something else.

Common Traffic Sounds

One of the top benefits of hearing aids is that they help you to navigate the world safely. They can enable you to hear things that might be dangerous, including traffic on the road. With a new pair of hearing aids, you might realize that cars, trucks, and motorbikes make more noise than you think. Not only can you hear them rushing by on the road, but you can hear engines idling, car doors closing, and more. This will allow you to be much more aware of your surroundings, especially when trying to navigate sidewalks, roads, parking lots, and other spaces.

Things You Hear Around the Home

Various sounds around your home might become much more obvious once you’re wearing hearing aids and the microphones pick them up. The sound of a ticking clock can catch your attention, and perhaps even be a little distracting. You could find yourself hearing your heating or air conditioning making noises, the appliances in your home working, the buzz of a light, and other sounds that you haven’t heard for a while. It can take time to get used to all of these noises, but you will slowly adjust and be glad for their presence.

Noticeable Chewing Sounds

The sound of your own eating, as well as other people eating, can take you by surprise when you get new hearing aids. You might not think about how loud it can sound, but there are lots of different noises involved, from chewing to silverware on plates. It might seem particularly loud because you haven’t experienced these sounds for a while, but your hearing aids can also make your own eating seem louder.

Noises Caused by Weather

The sounds of the elements may surprise you when you start wearing hearing aids too. You can notice the wind a lot more, whether it’s a gentle breeze or more powerful. Noises for rain, hail, and even snow could become more evident now that you have hearing aids amplifying all of these sounds for you. The sound of the wind can take some time to get used to, especially as it can sometimes interfere with the microphone on hearing aids. However, some experimentation and adjusting your hearing aids can help to make it more manageable.

Voices

Keeping up with conversation can be tough when you start to lose your hearing. With hearing aids, you can find that you start to hear everyone again, whether they are talking to you directly or you hear voices in the background. You might also realize that you can hear your own voice more than you could before. It might sound different and louder due to the effects of your hearing aids. Over time, you will adjust to this and get used to how your voice sounds.

Hearing aids can help to give you a new lease on life. Some of the sounds you hear can be surprising at first, but they can delight you too.

If you need help with your new hearing aids or think you could benefit from using them, get in touch with us. Learn more about Hearing & Balance Centers of West Tennessee – call our Jackson office at (731) 256-5973 or our Memphis office at (901) 201-6761.