What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting?

If your audiologist has advised you to consider wearing hearing aids, the next step to take is a hearing aid fitting. Once you have completed your hearing tests and assessments, your audiologist will be able to discuss the options with you and they will arrange a hearing aid fitting to set the ball rolling. Hearing aids are innovative devices, which can have an incredibly positive impact on your self-esteem, as well as your confidence and quality of life. If you’re preparing for a hearing aid fitting, here’s a guide to what will happen during your appointment.

Sound testing

When you arrive at your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will explain what is going to happen and give you an idea of what to expect. In most cases, hearing aid fittings take around an hour. The first step is usually to perform some sound tests. This involves placing a thin tube inside the ear and measuring the reaction to loud and quieter, softer sounds in the eardrum. The hearing aid will then be placed in the ear, along with the narrow tube. Once the hearing aid is in place, your audiologist will measure the impact of different volumes and types of sound, making adjustments as they go.

Fitting your hearing aid

Hearing aids are not a one-size-fits-all solution and to get the best out of them, you need to ensure that they fit perfectly. If a hearing aid isn’t fitted properly, the quality and clarity of sound might not be as high and you may find wearing your hearing aids uncomfortable. Your audiologist will take their time to get this stage of the fitting just right. They will place the hearing aid inside the ear and then modify the position very slightly until you’re completely comfortable. At this point, the hearing aids should be working perfectly following the sound tests and they should also be nestled in the right position. It’s really important to be honest with your audiologist. If you’re not comfortable or your hearing aids don’t feel right, don’t hesitate to speak up. It can take a little time to find the right balance for every individual. When your hearing aids feel good and you’re ready to proceed, your audiologist will show you how to adjust the settings and programs.

Hearing aid advice

Once your hearing aids are in place, your audiologist will give you some tips and advice to help you take care of them at home. This will include information about changing the batteries, cleaning hearing aids and storing them safely when you’re not using them. Your audiologist will show you how to do these things and give you some leaflets to take home. If you have any questions or queries once you get home, simply pick up the phone and call your audiologist.

If you’re due to go to a hearing aid fitting in the near future, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Your audiologist will fit your hearing aids, test the sound and then show you how to adjust the settings and how to clean your hearing aids and change the batteries. By the end, you should notice an amazing difference in your hearing.