{"id":1694,"date":"2022-11-10T14:02:58","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T22:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/?p=1694"},"modified":"2024-07-11T16:20:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T23:20:03","slug":"how-to-adjust-to-hearing-your-own-voice-with-hearing-aids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/how-to-adjust-to-hearing-your-own-voice-with-hearing-aids\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Adjust to Hearing Your Own Voice with Hearing Aids"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s common to hear your voice on a recording and not necessarily enjoy how it sounds. Similarly, it\u2019s normal to hear your voice with hearing aids for the first time and not be pleased. In fact, one 2020 study<\/a> reports, \u201cDissatisfaction with the sound of one’s own voice is common among hearing-aid users.\u201d But there is good news! You will adjust. We review how to help the process along below.<\/p>\n

Why Does My Voice Sound Weird?\"Installation<\/h2>\n

Normally when you speak, you hear your voice mostly through bone conduction, which makes the sound of your voice seem deeper and richer than it actually is. When you hear your voice on a recording, you hear it only through air conduction. When you hear your voice through hearing aids, you hear it through a mixture of bone and air conduction.<\/p>\n

Your hearing aids also will pick up the higher pitches in your voice that you were probably missing out on before. This can change how your voice sounds to you.<\/p>\n

What Can I Do?<\/h2>\n

The best thing you can do is keep in mind that, even if your voice sounds different or higher to you, it sounds the same way to everyone else as it always has. Also remember, even if you think your voice sounds weird now, you will eventually get used to it.<\/p>\n

To help speed up this process, you can listen to your own voice by reading a book aloud in a quiet, private area like your home or Donahue Frohnmayer Park<\/a>. After just a few minutes a day for a week straight, you should be acclimated.<\/p>\n

However, if you are still bothered by the sound of your voice, you can talk to your audiologist about switching to an open dome hearing aid, such as an open fit or receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) model. These can reduce feelings of discomfort with your voice since they don\u2019t fully block the auditory canal. Note, though, that these devices are not well-suited for all types of hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center<\/span> today.<\/p>\n