What You Need to Know About Hearing Aid Fittings

If you have been advised to schedule a hearing aid fitting appointment with your audiologist, it is important that you do just that because a good hearing aid fitting will ensure that the hearing aids you eventually end up with are as comfortable as possible and as optimized for your own personal use as possible.

However, many people are hesitant to attend a hearing aid fitting because they simply do not know what to expect. To put your fears to rest, let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions about hearing aid fittings.

Do hearing aid fittings hurt?

No, hearing aid fittings are generally quite painless, and in fact, they will help to prevent your hearing aids from being too tight or rubbing in the wrong places and hurting because your audiologist will ensure that they fit you like a glove.

How long does a hearing aid fitting take?

When conducted by a professional audiologist, fittings can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your hearing health. However, your audiologist will ensure that you are kept comfortable and well looked after during the process.

What is the process of a hearing aid fitting?

Your audiologist will usually go through your hearing evaluation test with you before ensuring that your hearing aid fits you comfortably. They will then conduct a number of tests to ensure that your hearing aid works as desired and that it is calibrated specifically for your needs. These tests are known as real ear measurement tests and they will check that your eardrum is receiving enough sounds from your device.

Normally, this requires inserting a microphone attached to a tube into your ear, but don’t worry because they are pretty tiny! This may take a while, and the audiologist may have to repeat certain sounds and processes a few times to get your hearing aid settings just right, but that’s a good thing because it means you will be able to hear more clearly when your hearing aids are fitted.

Once your hearing aid has been correctly fitted and the settings optimized, your audiologist should spend some time showing you how each of the settings on your device works. They will also show you how to care for your hearing aid, including how to keep it clean. It’s important to pay close attention at this point because once you leave the audiologist you will be responsible for your hearing aids.

Will I need to see the audiologist again?

Once you’ve attended your hearing aid fitting, your hearing aids should be working perfectly for you, and they should continue to do so for a good while. However, after a while. Like most things, the quality of your hearing may start to decline again and your hearing aids may need to be recalibrated, which will mean another fitting with the audiologist. If you notice a decline in your hearing function, it’s important that you do make an appointment as soon as possible, just in case, it is your hearing itself, and not the hearing aid, which needs some attention.

Hearing aid fittings are nothing to worry about, and they will help you to get the best experience for your hearing devices, it really is that simple.