Tailoring Hearing Aid Fittings to Individual Lifestyle Needs

Each person is unique so when it comes to hearing loss, it’s no surprise that each ear is unique too. Every patient will need something different from hearing loss treatment and audiologists need to be prepared to accommodate that. This is why a hearing aid fitting appointment consists of much more than just making sure the hearing aid fits properly.

If you’re wondering what to expect from your hearing aid fitting and how your lifestyle needs will be met, read on.

Hearing Aid Evaluation

You’ve already met your audiologist and had your hearing test by now. This is where your audiologist will run a few tests to find out what will suit you best. The first test will involve recording the softest sound you can hear and what might be uncomfortably loud for you. From this recording, your audiologist will be able to set the level on your amplifier to suit you.

Your lifestyle will affect all decisions regarding your hearing aid so it’s vital that you discuss this with your audiologist. Your audiologist may want to know where your hearing loss has affected your lifestyle and what you’re looking forward to returning to when you have your hearing aid.

Examples of this may be, being able to talk on the phone more often or eating out in busy restaurants without feeling overwhelmed. This can help guide your audiologist to program your hearing aid exactly to your preferences.

Choosing Your Style

There are many options and styles available when it comes to choosing your hearing aid. There may be options available that will suit your lifestyle and budget. Hearing aids also come with different technologies so don’t be afraid to ask your audiologist questions at this point. Perhaps you would prefer your hearing aid to be discreet or maybe you like bold and colorful designs. If you’ll be removing your hearing aid often, you may want a device that you can easily remove and insert throughout the day.

Fitting and Programing

Your audiologist will need to take impressions of your ears to ensure the correct fit for you. It’s unlikely that you’ll walk away with your hearing aids on the same day. They often need to be ordered and then programmed when they arrive at your audiologist’s office.

To program your hearing aid, your audiologist will link it to a computer and add your preferences to the device. You’ll then need to come back to your audiologist to test the hearing aid out. If there are any problems, your audiologist should be able to quickly resolve them when you are present.

You may find that your lifestyle requires your hearing aids to have more adjustments as time goes on. The more you use your hearing aids, the easier it will be to distinguish what you need from them. Simply schedule another appointment and ask your audiologist to make the adjustments.

If you need to make an appointment for a hearing test or to discuss tailoring hearing aids, contact your local audiologist.