3 Things You’ll Learn During Your Hearing Aid Fitting

Getting hearing aids is an important step toward improving your hearing and overall quality of life. It’s normal to have questions about what happens next. One of the key appointments in this process is your hearing aid fitting. During this appointment, you’ll receive a device that can make a significant difference in your daily life. However, it’s important to understand how to use it effectively. Here are three important things you can expect to learn during your hearing aid fitting to help you get the best results.

How to Choose the Best Hearing Aid Style for You

When you sit down with your audiologist, one of the first things you’ll do is discuss the different styles of hearing aids available and figure out which one fits your needs best. You might already have an idea of what you want, but your audiologist will provide expert guidance to ensure you’re making the best choice. These include:

• In the ear (ITE): Fits in the outer part of the ear bowl, offers larger batteries and additional features, suitable for mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss.
• Behind the ear (BTE): Sits behind the ear with a tube leading to an earmold, ideal for various levels of hearing loss.
• In the canal (ITC): Smaller and partially fits in the ear canal, best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and is less visible.
• Receiver in canal (RIC): Rests behind the ear with a small speaker placed in the canal, provides clear sound and is discreet.

How to Properly Wear and Care for Your Hearing Aids

A crucial part of your hearing aid fitting is learning how to handle your new devices with confidence. Your audiologist will walk you through the basics of inserting and removing your hearing aids, which is especially important for smaller models like ITC. You’ll also receive instructions on how to care for and maintain your hearing aids. This will include to clean your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth. This is a good time to ask any questions to ensure you understand how to properly care for your device.

How to Fine-Tune Your Hearing Experience

Your hearing aid fitting is when the sound settings will be tailored to your needs. Your audiologist will adjust the hearing aids based on your hearing test results to match your unique hearing profile. You’ll need to give feedback throughout the session, so it’s important to be clear and honest about what you hear. This is the only way to make sure the hearing aids work well for you in different situations, like in noisy areas or quiet spaces.

Why This Matters

These three reasons highlight why your hearing aid fitting is crucial and why your audiologist carefully adjusts your hearing aids, to give you a better quality of life and listening experience. It’s important to attend your hearing aid fitting appointment to ensure you get the most out of your hearing aids. If you want to learn more about hearing aid fittings or have questions, schedule an appointment with an audiologist.