If you’re new to hearing aids, there’s a lot you have to learn, including how to get used to the sound of your own voice. In fact, according to one study published in Trends in Hearing, “Dissatisfaction with the sound of one’s own voice is common among hearing-aid users.” We review how to get used to the sound of your voice with hearing aids below.
Why Does My Voice Sound Strange?
Have you ever heard a recording of your voice and thought it sounded strange? This is sort of how you’ll hear your voice through hearing aids, too.
Normally, when you speak, you hear your own voice mostly through bone conduction, which makes it sound deeper and richer than it actually is. On a recording, you hear your voice through air conduction, which is how other people hear it all the time. When you hear your voice through hearing aids, you hear it through a mixture of bone and air conduction, which is probably not what you’re used to.
How Can I Get Used to the Sound of My Voice?
If you don’t like how your voice sounds when you wear hearing aids, first remember that this is temporary. Soon enough, you will be used to the sound of your voice and it won’t sound strange anymore.
To help speed this process along, we recommend reading aloud to yourself somewhere quiet like your home or favorite local park. After just a few minutes a day for a week or two, you should be used to the sound of your voice, as long as you’re consistently wearing your hearing aids during all waking hours.
Talk About Other Hearing Aid Options
If you’re still not used to the sound of your voice after this time period, talk to your audiologist at Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants about other hearing aid options. Certain models, like open fit and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) reduce how much you hear your voice through air conduction because they only minimally occlude the auditory canal. Note, however, these devices are not suitable for all types of hearing loss.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.