In the past, hearing evaluations and fittings for hearing aids consisted mostly of a series of beeps and noises. Today, audiologists are equipped with new technologies and methods to make the hearing aid evaluation and hearing aid programming processes more effective.
One of the more advanced technologies available is live speech mapping, an exciting new method of fitting hearing aids using speech as a stimulus to help the audiologist adjust hearing aids to the right settings for each wearer. Live speech mapping makes fitting appointments more interactive and can reduce the number of office visits required for successful hearing aid programming.
What is Live Speech Mapping?
Live speech mapping is a fitting and verification method that is used to ensure that your hearing aids are programmed for your individual needs. With this method, small microphones placed in the ear canal are used to distinguish differences in how you are able to hear speech through your hearing aids.
Your audiologist will have high-tech equipment that will allow him or her to “see” what you are hearing through your hearing aids on a screen in real-time. The results are displayed on a computer monitor so that it is possible to see the adjustments during the hearing aid fitting process.
Benefits of Live Speech Mapping
Live speech mapping is known for its accuracy. Other mapping and hearing evaluation methods often need tweaking before the hearing aid works perfectly for the user. Live speech mapping increases the chances that your hearing aid mapping will be done correctly on the first try.
Additional Benefits Live Speech Mapping:
- Focuses on the important and basic function of being able to effectively hear human speech
- Provides immediate and tangible results
- Shown to increase successful outcomes of fittings
- Provides more accurate programming of hearing aids
Live speech mapping is truly a wonderful new technology for both the audiologist and hearing-impaired individual. Contact your audiologist to find out how live speech mapping can provide you with a better hearing aid fitting experience.