Your First Month with Hearing Aids

Your First Month with Hearing Aids: How To Use A Listening Diary

For those experiencing hearing loss, the first weeks with hearing aids can feel like rediscovering the world. You’ll be able to enjoy sounds you may not have heard for some time, from birds to the laughter of family and friends. While an exciting step, much like breaking in a new pair of sneakers takes time, adjusting to new hearing aids can also take some getting used to. 

One of the best tools to help you adjust is a listening diary. By tracking your experiences and celebrating progress with your hearing, a listening diary can help make the transition to hearing aids easier. Here, we’ll take you through how to use it effectively and extra tips to help you feel more confident during your first month with hearing aids.

What Is A Listening Diary?

A listening diary is your personal record of life with hearing aids. Think of it as a journal for your ears, where you track various moments, situations and sounds that relate to your hearing experience. By keeping a listening diary, you can:

• Notice the sounds you’re enjoying again: For example, “I could hear my grandchild giggle from the next room.” Studies have found that focusing on positive listening experiences can help boost hearing aid satisfaction.¹

• Identify situations where you want to feel more comfortable: This might include, “I struggled to follow the conversation at a noisy cafe.” 

• Track your progress as listening becomes easier each week: Such as “The supermarket felt overwhelming at first, but by week three it’s much easier to focus on conversations.”
  

Not only that, but a listening diary also helps your audiologist fine-tune your devices. If certain environments like restaurants or group settings still feel challenging, your notes will give your audiologist the details they need to adjust your hearing aids to better suit your lifestyle and hearing needs.

How To Use A Listening Diary

A listening diary can help you adjust to hearing aids by tracking your experiences in different situations. These notes will help you understand your own progress and make appointments with your audiologist more productive. For each listening moment, record:

• When and where it happened: Consider time of day and location (home, outdoors, or restaurant).
• Who or what you were listening to: Was it a conversation, music, TV or background sounds?
• Noise level: Record if the noise level is quiet, moderate, or loud.
• What worked well: Clear voices, enjoyable sounds, or situations that felt easy.
• What felt challenging: Background noise, certain voices, or sounds that felt distorted.
• How you adapted: Did you adjust your hearing aid settings, move seats, or change environments?
• How it made you feel: Reflect on how you felt during the experience and if it left you confident, comfortable, or fatigued. 
• Experiences to discuss at your next appointment: If you notice sounds or situations that could be improved, be sure to record them so your hearing care professional can make adjustments. 

Using a listening diary doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep your notes short with just a few sentences per entry. Over time, you’ll begin to see patterns and be able to celebrate improvements. You’ll also know what issues to raise at your next appointment with your hearing care professional. ³

Tips For Your First Month With Hearing Aids

Adjusting to hearing aids may take time, but the more you wear hearing aids, the faster your brain adapts. At first, some things may feel uncomfortable, but most improve with time and practice. Consider these tips for your first month with hearing aids:

• Wear your hearing aids every day: Start with a few hours and gradually increase your wear time. Consistently wearing your hearing aids can help your brain and ears adapt more quickly, making sounds feel clearer and more comfortable.²
• Start in quieter environments: Build confidence at home before tackling noisy restaurants or events. 
• Get comfortable with everyday sounds: Listen to music, watch TV with captions, or take walks to enjoy hearing the world around you. 
• Give yourself time to adjust: It can take time for your brain to fully adapt to new hearing aids. With each passing week, it becomes easier and more rewarding. 
• Seek support when you need it: Don’t hesitate to call your local clinic in between appointments if you have concerns about your hearing aids. 

Your first month with hearing aids is all about adjusting and embracing new sounds. A listening diary can help you to track progress, stay positive, and work with your audiologist to get the best results. 

If you’re looking to get the most out of your first month, book an appointment at your local Connect Hearing clinic. Our experienced team will help make any adjustments necessary to ensure your hearing experience is a positive and comfortable one.

References:

1. National Council on Aging (10 January 2025), How to Adjust to Hearing Aids, www.ncoa.org, accessed 31 July 2025.
2. International Journal of Audiology (8 July 2024), Focusing on positive listening experiences improves hearing aid outcomes in first-time hearing aid users: a randomised controlled trial, Taylor and Francis online, accessed 31 July 2025.