Everything You Need to Know About Hearing Aid Fittings

Hearing aid fittings are essential for getting the best auditory experience from your hearing devices. Whether you have behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, your hearing health professional will ensure your devices are optimized for your needs. If you’re new to hearing aid fittings or haven’t had one in a while, here is everything you should know about hearing aid fittings.

The Initial Assessment

The first step in a hearing aid fitting is a detailed assessment by your hearing health professional. They will examine your audiogram, which shows the results of your hearing test, to understand the specifics of your hearing loss. They will also ask about your lifestyle, like your daily routines and places where you find it hard to hear. This helps them choose the most suitable hearing aids for you.

Finding the Right Hearing Aid

Hearing aids come in all forms and sizes to meet an individual’s varying needs. Your hearing health professional will discuss all available models ranging from behind-the-ear models to discreet in-the-ear designs. Taking into consideration not just hearing loss but lifestyle, dexterity and aesthetic preferences.

Fitting Session

During your hearing aid fitting session, your hearing care provider will program and adjust the devices to ensure you get natural sound quality. They will carefully calibrate the volume levels and fine-tune the frequencies. Your hearing care provider might also create multiple settings for different environments, like noisy coffee shops or quiet libraries. This personalized approach ensures that your hearing aids perform well in various listening situations.

Real Ear Measurements

An important aspect of fitting a hearing aid is real ear measurements, which involve inserting a microphone into your ear canal in order to measure how sound is delivered through the hearing aid while you’re wearing it. This step ensures that the hearing aid is operating as intended and providing the amplification needed specifically for your acoustics.

Education and Training

A hearing aid fitting should include some hands-on training with your hearing health professional. They’ll show you how to insert, remove and clean your hearing aids. Change their batteries, charge the devices as well as any additional features like Bluetooth connectivity or volume controls that come standard on some models. If you have any questions during your fitting, make sure to ask them.

Adjustment Period

Getting used to wearing hearing aids may take a few weeks of adjustment. Your hearing health professional can offer advice and assistance as you adapt to new sounds while maintaining maximum comfort levels for when you are wearing your hearing aids.

Hearing aid fittings are more than a necessary part of getting new devices, they’re important steps on your journey toward enhanced hearing. From initial assessments to ongoing support, each step ensures your hearing aids meet all your unique needs perfectly. If you want to learn more about what happens at a hearing aid fitting or believe you are experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with a hearing health professional. They will be able to answer any questions you may have.