Are Hearing Aid Fittings Necessary?

If you have recently had a hearing test, your audiologist may have invited you to a hearing aid fitting. 

The purpose of the hearing aid fitting is to set up your new hearing aids and show you how to care for them correctly.

Many people wonder whether they really need a hearing aid fitting or not. Are they indispensable? Let’s take a look. 

You can set up your hearing aids for your type of hearing loss

Everybody’s hearing loss is different. Some people find it hard to hear high-pitched noises while others struggle to focus on the sound of a particular voice in a loud room. 

Hearing aid manufacturers, therefore, offer devices with dozens of settings to suit practically any type of hearing loss. Finding the correct combination, though, can be a challenge. With so many variables and only your experience to guide you, it’s unlikely that you’ll get the most out of your device if you go down the DIY route. 

Audiologists use something called a Real Ear Measurement to ensure that the sound levels reaching your eardrum are correct for your particular variety of hearing loss. They also have experience in adjusting things like channels, frequency amplification and directional microphones. With their help, you can achieve a much better experience than if you change settings on your own. 

You get a hearing aid that fits snugly

Not only is your hearing loss unique to you, but so too is the shape of your ear. For this reason, generic hearing aids might feel uncomfortable or fall out. 

Fortunately, professional audiologists offer a solution. During your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will provide you with hearing aids based on molds taken of your outer ear. These molds conform to the shape of your body, providing a snug and comfortable fit you can wear all day long. 

You find out about cleaning and taking care of your hearing aids

Assistive hearing devices are a considerable investment in your health and quality of life. Once they’re set up correctly and providing you with sound, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. 

Unfortunately, assistive hearing devices are prone to damage, just like any other small, electronic device. It is vital, therefore, that you take care of them properly. 

Knowing how to look after your hearing aids, though, can be counterintuitive. At your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will tell provide you with advice, including keeping your hearing aids away from water, storing them somewhere safe away from pets and children and removing earwax. 

Hearing aid fittings are a chance for you to ask questions

Wearing hearing aids for the first time will probably leave you with a lot of questions. The hearing aid session is, therefore, your chance to get the answers you need to make the experience of wearing them good. 

Trained and certified audiologists will be able to answer practically any question that you have about your devices, from setting them up to cleaning them. Remember, if you damage your equipment, you can return to your audiologist at any point for assistance.