Should You Get a Hearing Aid Fitting?

Definitely, over 3.5 million Americans invest in hearing aids every year. Some degree of customization goes into every one of those devices. These custom calibrations take place at a dedicated session called a hearing aid fitting.

New hearing aid users will have their device programmed to their personal hearing needs during a hearing aid fitting. There are many possible customization options available with most modern hearing aids. So, a new hearing aid owner will be able to personalize their device in many ways.

What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting?

During a hearing aid fitting, your hearing aid will be physically fit to the shape of your ears, and your audiologist will conduct a series of tests to ensure peak performance from your device. 

In order to prepare you for your new hearing aids, we will meet with you a few times before your fitting. We will have a detailed pre-fitting conversation about your hearing needs. We will discuss things like what type of hearing aids you may want and what kinds of environments you will be using your hearing aids in most often.

During your pre-fitting meeting, you can expect the following:

  • A thorough hearing test will be performed, and this test will provide a baseline for your hearing aid settings.
  • If necessary, earmold impressions will be taken a few weeks before your fitting. Your fit will be more comfortable as a result.

Once the pre-fitting meetings are finished, your hearing aid fitting will be scheduled. Here are a few things that a hearing aid fitting will include:

  • Device Adjustment: Any final adjustments that may be required will be completed in order to make sure your hearing aid is at peak performance.
  • Maintenance Review: We will go over some basic maintenance procedures, like Bluetooth connectivity, cleaning routines, and changing batteries.

How long your fitting will last depends on how everything goes. However, on average, it will take from 45 minutes up to an hour and thirty minutes.

Exactly What is a Real Ear Measurement?

A specialized test, known as a Real Ear Measurement, is used to make sure the hearing aid is set at an accurate volume.

A Real Ear Measurement works as follows:

  • A tiny microphone connected to a very thin tube is gently inserted into the ear canal.
  • We will then mount the hearing aid in place.
  • A number of diagnostic sounds are played, and then the hearing aid's volume level is measured. First, quieter sounds will be played, then the volume of those sounds will gradually be increased.
  • An audiologist will then precisely calibrate the volume of the hearing aids.

A Real Ear test is an essential step in making certain the hearing aid is properly functioning. The customization features of modern hearing aids can be maximized by using this diagnostic tool, ensuring that your device is fine-tuned to your individual hearing needs. Tuning the hearing aids to the volume and frequency requirements of the user is essential, and the best way to identify those parameters is with a Real Ear test.

A Real Ear test will remove much of the subjectivity that would otherwise be present during a hearing aid fitting, which will be especially helpful for people investing in their first pair of hearing aids.

The Importance of a Hearing Aid Fitting

It’s essential to get a properly conducted fitting in order to effectively treat hearing loss. When your hearing aids are calibrated for correct functionality, you will get the best results from your device. The following are a few reasons it’s important to get a hearing aid fitting:

If hearing aids are uncomfortable, people won't use them.

When hearing aids don't fit properly, people will often think their device is ineffective. However, the user can continuously manage their hearing loss effectively when their hearing aids fit correctly.

Improperly calibrated hearing aids can be uncomfortable.

A hearing aid can cause discomfort and also lead to further damage if it's too loud. A hearing aid that isn't loud enough will not be effective. Hearing health depends on proper management, and in both of the above cases, the user may quit using their hearing aids because they have become disillusioned.

Proper calibration is required for some of the more advanced functions.

We can custom calibrate your hearing aid specifically for your common environments. Wireless connectivity is another advanced function that we can help you better understand. Your total quality of life will be improved when you can get the most from your hearing aids.

We can custom calibrate your hearing aid specifically for your common environments. Wireless connectivity is another advanced function that we can help you better understand. Your total quality of life will be improved when you can get the most from your hearing aids. 

Schedule an appointment for a fitting today and get the maximum effectiveness from your hearing aids.