What You Need to Know About Hearing Aid Fittings

Hearing loss can impact individuals at any age or stage of life. In fact, it’s estimated that 60.7-million Americans aged twelve and above are currently experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Fortunately, there are many solutions in place that you can use to protect your hearing health, including wearing hearing aids.

If you are interested in getting hearing aids, the sooner you reach out to an experienced audiologist, the better. They’ll gather information based on your hearing history, symptoms and specialized screening tests that will allow them to better understand your hearing loss. They can then suggest which style of hearing aids will be most beneficial to you moving forward. You’ll then be asked to attend a hearing aid fitting.

What Should I Expect During a Hearing Aid Fitting?

A hearing aid fitting is the final step before you get to wear your hearing aids regularly. However, understanding what to expect from this appointment ahead of time will provide you with much greater peace of mind moving forward.

Quickly Check In

Your hearing aid fitting will begin with a quick consultation to determine whether or not you are experiencing any additional symptoms of hearing loss.

Take Necessary Measurements

Your audiologist will then take any necessary measurements of both your inner and outer ear using specialist tools and equipment. These measurements are used to maximize your comfort and ensure that your hearing aids fit neatly in or around your ear. For devices that sit inside the ear, a mold will be taken to ensure a snug fit.

Discuss Your Chosen Style of Hearing Aids in More Detail

Your audiologist will then discuss your chosen style of hearing aids like in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) or in the canal (ITC) in more detail. This will help you to strengthen your understanding of how the device works and the benefits you can expect to notice moving forward. They’ll also provide you with useful tips and guidance on how to use and care for your hearing aids.

Carry Out Additional Tests

Your audiologist will carry out additional tests when the hearing aids are in place in order to ascertain that they are providing you with the right support, and to make sure your hearing has not changed.

Ask Any Questions You May Have

If you are going to be wearing hearing aids for the first time, you’ll likely have a lot of questions you want to ask your audiologist. This might include are there any additional features. Your audiologist will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Provide You with Practical Tips and Guidance

Finally, your audiologist will provide you with further practical tips and guidance on how to gain as much benefit as possible from your new hearing aids. They’ll also provide you with insight into how long your hearing aids will take to prepare and when you can collect them. Your audiologist will also show you how to adjust the settings of your hearing aids to the environment you are in, and how to regularly clean them.