Getting Used to the Sound of Hearing Aids: Why Your Voice Sounds Different and How to Adjust
As audiologists, one of the most common concerns we hear from patients who are newly fitted with hearing aids is that they don’t like the sound of their own voice. This initial discomfort is completely normal and stems from the way our brain processes sound, both naturally and when using a hearing aid. Even famous musicians, like John Lennon, struggled with this issue—Lennon famously disliked the sound of his own voice and constantly sought to alter it using studio effects.
The key to overcoming this common experience is understanding why it happens, being patient, and working with us through the process of acclimatisation. As audiologists, we are here to guide and support you throughout this journey, ensuring that you become comfortable with your new auditory world.
Why Does Your Voice Sound Different with Hearing Aids?
To understand why hearing aids change how we perceive our own voice, it’s helpful to explore how we naturally hear ourselves speak. Normally, we hear our voice through two channels:
1. Air Conduction: This is the sound that travels through the air and reaches the eardrum before being processed by the brain. This is how others hear us when we speak.
2. Bone Conduction: This is the sound that travels through the bones in our skull. When we speak, the vocal cords create vibrations that pass through our bones to the inner ear, giving us a deeper and richer perception of our voice.
When we speak, we are hearing a combination of air and bone conduction. Bone conduction amplifies the lower frequencies, making our voice sound fuller and more resonant inside our head than it does to others. However, when we listen to a recording of our voice—or hear it through hearing aids—we hear only the air-conducted version, which sounds higher-pitched and less familiar. This difference explains why many people, including performers like John Lennon, dislike hearing recordings of themselves.
John Lennon: An Example of Vocal Discomfort
John Lennon, an iconic member of The Beatles, and one of the world’s most famous and loved voices, is one of the most famous examples of someone who disliked the sound of their own voice. Despite being known for his distinctive voice, Lennon was notoriously uncomfortable with how he sounded on recordings. He often asked for effects like echo and reverb to change the way his voice appeared in studio tracks.
His discomfort highlights a common experience—Lennon’s perception of his voice in his head was different from what he heard in recordings. This is very similar to what happens when we first use hearing aids. It is a reminder that this experience, though unsettling at first, is a normal part of adjusting to a new way of hearing sound.
Getting Used to Hearing Aids: Why It Takes Time
When we first fit someone with hearing aids, they often find that their own voice sounds strange, loud, or distorted. Hearing aids amplify all sounds, including your own voice, which can lead to an initial sensation of unfamiliarity. Some people describe their voice as “echoey” or “boomy,” while others think it sounds unnaturally loud. This sensation is largely due to the occlusion effect, where the ear canal becomes partially blocked, changing how sound travels and reaches the ear.
We, as audiologists, want to reassure patients that this sensation is a completely normal part of the process when getting used to hearing aids. Over time, your brain will begin to adjust to the new auditory input, and the unfamiliar sound of your voice will fade into the background.
Acclimatising to the Sound of Hearing Aids: What to Expect
Acclimatisation is key to successfully getting used to hearing aids. For many, the first few days or weeks can feel overwhelming, as your brain adjusts to the new sounds, including your own voice. Our role as audiologists is to guide you through this period, providing reassurance and support as you adapt.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Initial Surprise: At first, you may find that the sound of your own voice is distracting or uncomfortable. This is completely normal and will improve with time.
2. Brain Adaptation: Your brain is incredibly adaptable and will slowly adjust to the new sounds coming from your hearing aids. The more you wear them, the faster this adjustment will occur.
3. Regular Follow-ups: We recommend scheduling regular follow-up appointments to fine-tune your hearing aids as you adjust to them but also to talk with us about your experiences, learning to change and accept the differences in your hearing. We can make necessary adjustments to help reduce the occlusion effect and make the overall sound more comfortable.
How to Get Used to the Sound of Hearing Aids: Practical Tips
We provide several strategies to help you get used to the sound of hearing aids:
1. Practice Speaking Regularly: The more you use your hearing aids, the quicker your brain will adjust. Try reading aloud, having conversations, or even singing to yourself in quiet environments. This will help your brain get used to hearing your voice through the devices.
2. Gradually Increase Wear Time: You don’t have to wear your hearing aids all day from the start. Begin by wearing them for a few hours and gradually increase the time as your brain adjusts to the new sounds.
3. Be Patient: Remember that this is a process. Your brain needs time to acclimatise to hearing aids, so don’t rush or feel frustrated if things don’t feel normal immediately. Over time, your voice will sound much more natural.
4. Stay in Touch with us: Unlike many other audiologists whose interest may end with the sale of a hearing aid, we are here to support you throughout the entire process. Helping you to understand, accept and enjoy your new hearing experience. Regular check-ins allow us to make any necessary adjustments and offer guidance as you adapt.
Embracing the Change
Disliking the sound of your own voice when first using hearing aids is a common experience, but it’s important to remember that it is temporary. Just as John Lennon struggled to reconcile the sound of his voice in recordings, hearing aid users may initially find their voice unfamiliar. With time, practice, and the right support, your brain will adjust, and the sound of your voice will feel much more natural.
As audiologists, the team at Hearing Healthcare Practice is here to guide you through every step of the process, helping you to get used to hearing aids and ensuring that you experience the best possible hearing outcomes. Patience and persistence are key, and soon, the sound of your own voice will become just another part of your everyday hearing experience.
If you’d like to meet to discuss your hearing please GET IN TOUCH.
Picture Credit: Nadir Nardiello, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons