You've got your new personal sound amplifier. It's charged. It's in your ear. And honestly, it sounds a little weird.
This is normal.
Your brain needs time to adjust to amplified sound. The device needs to be fine-tuned to your preferences. And you need to develop habits around when to use it, how to care for it, and what to expect in different situations.
This guide walks you through your first week—what to expect, what's normal, and how to set yourself up for success.
Day One: Getting Started
Unboxing and Setup
Before you do anything else, make sure the device is fully charged. Most devices come partially charged, but starting with a full battery means you won't run out during your first day of exploration.
Read the quick-start guide. Yes, actually read it. Different devices have different controls, and knowing how to adjust volume, switch programs, and turn the device on and off will prevent frustration later.
If there's a smartphone app, download it now and pair the device. Most apps offer helpful tutorials and give you more control over settings than the physical buttons alone.
First Fit
Getting the device positioned correctly in your ear takes some practice. Here's what to check:
Comfort: The device shouldn't hurt. Mild awareness of something in your ear is normal; pain is not. If something pinches or presses uncomfortably, try repositioning or try a different ear tip size.
Seal: For in-ear devices, a good seal matters for sound quality. The sound should feel full, not thin or tinny. If it sounds hollow, the ear tip may not be sealing properly. Try a different size—most devices come with several options.
Security: Move your head around. Talk. Smile big. Chew. The device should stay put. If it shifts or falls out during normal movement, try a different fit or ear tip style.
First Sounds
Turn on the device at a low volume setting. Start quieter than you think you need—you can always turn it up.
Listen to your environment. Your refrigerator. The HVAC system. Your own footsteps. Traffic outside. You're probably hearing sounds you've been unconsciously tuning out for years. This can feel strange or even overwhelming at first.
Your own voice will sound different—often louder, sometimes echoey. This is called the occlusion effect, and it's normal. Your brain will adapt, and it will bother you less over time.
Pro tip: Start in a quiet environment. Don't put in your new device and immediately go to a noisy restaurant. Give yourself time to adjust in controlled, comfortable settings first.
Days Two and Three: Building Familiarity
Extend Your Wearing Time Gradually
Don't try to wear the device all day right away. Start with 2-3 hours, take a break, then try another few hours. Gradually extend as your brain adapts.
This isn't about physical comfort (though that matters too)—it's about cognitive adjustment. Processing amplified sound takes mental energy, especially at first. Listening fatigue is real. Respect it.
By day three, aim for 4-6 hours of wear time, spread across the day.
Practice in Different Quiet Environments
Move through your home with the device. Notice how different rooms sound. The kitchen with its hard surfaces will sound different from the carpeted living room.
Watch TV at your usual volume, then with the volume turned down. Many people find they can reduce TV volume significantly once they're wearing an amplifier.
Have a conversation with someone in your household. Pay attention to how voices sound. Clear? Natural? Too loud? Adjust your volume accordingly.
Learn the Controls
Spend time with the controls until they become automatic. Practice:
- Turning volume up and down without looking
- Switching between programs
- Turning the device on and off
- Checking battery status
If you're using an app, explore all the settings. Try adjusting bass and treble. Experiment with noise reduction levels. The more familiar you are with the controls, the more easily you can adapt to different situations later.
Days Four and Five: Testing Real Situations
Try Your Primary Use Case
Whatever situation made you want this device—TV watching, restaurant dinners, family gatherings, church services—it's time to test it there.
Go in with realistic expectations. The device won't make a noisy restaurant feel like a quiet room. But it should make conversation noticeably easier to follow.
For TV: Turn the volume to where others find it comfortable (or lower). Can you follow dialogue clearly? Try the device's speech or dialogue mode if it has one.
For conversation in noise: Use the directional microphone mode if available. Face the person you're talking to. Noise reduction should be helping, but background sound won't disappear entirely.
For lectures or church: Sit where you can see the speaker. If the venue has a hearing loop and your device has telecoil, try it. Otherwise, use directional mode.
Take notes on what works and what doesn't. Does the volume need adjusting in certain environments? Would a different program work better? This is valuable information for fine-tuning.
Don't Panic If It's Not Perfect
Your first experience in a challenging environment might be underwhelming. That's okay. Several things affect performance:
- Your brain is still adjusting to amplified sound
- You may not have the optimal settings dialed in yet
- Some environments are genuinely difficult even with good technology
Give it time. Make small adjustments. Try again. Most people find significant improvement by the end of the second week as they learn how to use their device optimally and their brain adapts.
Days Six and Seven: Fine-Tuning
Adjust Based on Experience
By now, you have real-world data. Use it.
If the device is too quiet in conversation but too loud for TV, you may need different volume settings for different situations—or different programs.
If background noise is still overwhelming in restaurants, try increasing the noise reduction level.
If voices sound unnatural, experiment with treble/bass balance in the app.
If the device is uncomfortable after extended wear, try different ear tips or consider repositioning.
Establish a Routine
Successful device users build habits. By the end of week one, you should have the beginnings of a routine:
Charging: When does the device go on the charger? Most people charge overnight. Find a consistent spot for the charging case so it becomes automatic.
Storage: When you're not wearing or charging the device, where does it live? A consistent location means you always know where it is.
Cleaning: Wipe down the device with a dry cloth when you remove it. Earwax and moisture are the enemies of electronics. A daily wipe prevents buildup.
Usage pattern: When do you wear it? All day? Just for specific activities? There's no wrong answer, but a consistent pattern helps build the habit.
What's Normal (And What's Not)
Normal First-Week Experiences
- Sounds seem too loud or too present
- Your own voice sounds strange
- Background sounds you forgot about are suddenly noticeable
- Listening feels more tiring than usual
- The device takes some fiddling to position correctly
- You're not sure if it's "working" or not in some situations
Potentially Concerning (Contact Support)
- Pain in your ear that doesn't resolve with repositioning
- Persistent whistling or feedback that won't stop
- No sound at all despite full battery
- Sound that cuts in and out unexpectedly
- Significant discomfort that doesn't improve with different ear tips
Definitely Contact Support
- The device won't charge
- Controls don't respond
- The device arrived damaged
The Two-Week Milestone
Most people hit their stride by the end of week two. By then:
- Your brain has adapted to amplified sound
- You've figured out the settings that work for you
- You've tested the device in your primary use cases
- You have a wearing and care routine
If things still aren't working well by week two, contact support. It's possible you need different settings, a different fit solution, or a different device entirely. That's what trial periods are for.
Give It a Fair Chance
Here's what we've seen: people who struggle through the first week often become devoted users by week three. The adaptation period is real, and pushing through it is worthwhile.
But "fair chance" doesn't mean forcing yourself to use something that genuinely doesn't work. If by the end of your trial period the device isn't improving the situations you bought it for, return it. Try something different. The right device for your life exists—this one might just not be it.
The goal isn't to own a sound amplifier. The goal is to catch every word at dinner, hear the TV clearly, follow the sermon, participate in conversations without exhaustion.
Give your new device the best chance to help you do that. And if it can't, try the next option until you find what works.
HearHelp offers 30-day risk-free trials on all devices, with Canadian support available throughout. Questions during your first week? Call us. That's what we're here for.