What is the Hearing Aid Fitting Process?

If you noticed a change in your hearing ability, you likely already booked an appointment with an audiologist. The first step is a hearing test conducted by an audiologist. This is used to assess whether there are issues with your hearing that could potentially include significant levels of hearing loss. A hearing test will also reveal the type of hearing loss that you may be suffering from. Your hearing test will clue the audiologist in on what specific frequencies and tones you struggle to hear clearly. After this, your audiologist will provide your treatment options and discuss how you can move forward. Usually, treatment will be offered in the form of hearing aids. Hearing aids can substantially improve your quality of life. They will ensure that you are able to hear more effectively and also find it easier to engage in conversations. However, there are a few steps to go through before you get your hearing aids. One of these is the hearing aid fitting, which will include:

Fitting the devices

Be aware that this appointment can often be completed immediately after your hearing test. That will usually be the case if you decide that you do want to proceed with hearing aids. A lot of people will make this choice because they want to ensure that their hearing doesn’t deteriorate further and that they can communicate effectively. Hearing aids are going to be an essential part of your life. So, you need to make sure that they feel great and fit perfectly. The key to remember here is that everyone’s ears are different. Your anatomy is not the same as anyone elses, which is why the physical fit of the device is so crucial. Depending on what type of hearing aid you select, your audiologist may take impressions to create a mold to ensure the most comfortable and secure fit possible. Your audiologist will have discussed with you the different options and styles available. The most common hearing aid styles include: in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE), in the canal (ITC), invisible in canal (IIC) and completely in canal (CIC). Your audiologist will go over all the important details on inserting and removing your devices, as well as how they function.

Sound checks

In addition to the physical fit of your hearing aids, the audiologist will want to test the sound levels to ensure the programs are set to your specific needs. This will be performed by inserting a small mic into your ear canal, which is non-invasive and hardly noticeable. Once this process has been completed without the device, it will then be completed again with the hearing aids in your ear. This ensures your hearing aids will be fine-tuned to your hearing loss needs, making it easier for you to hear the sounds you were once missing. It can also be used to ensure that the device can be adjusted the right way.

Understanding your devices

Once the hearing aids have been produced, your audiologist will show you how they fit in your ear. They will make ensure that they feel comfortable and fit securely. After a short adjustment period, they should feel so natural that they are barely noticeable as being there at all. Talk to your audiologist about any concerns you may have regarding the comfort and security of your devices. Modern hearing aids can be equipped with a wide range of different settings that can be adjusted. It all depends on your level of hearing loss and the features you select for your device. Your audiologist will walk you through the different features you can use, whether it’s Bluetooth, noise reduction or multisettings, ensuring you know how to take advantage of these benefits. The final stage of the process is ensuring that you get the chance to ask any questions that you may have and identify any issues. Your audiologist will be keen to make sure that you are comfortable with how your devices operate and familiar with the different settings. They will also guarantee that you know how to adjust and maintain your hearing aids the right way. Quality Hearing Aid Center is ready to help you on your journey to better hearing. Learn more about the hearing aid fitting process by calling (248) 430-8791. We will provide you with expert advice and support or potentially book you in for your hearing aid fitting.