Hearing Aid Fitting: Know the Process and Importance

A hearing aid fitting is a process that involves adjusting the hearing aid to the needs of the patient. This includes selecting the appropriate hearing aid style, programming the device to match the patient’s hearing loss and fine-tuning the settings for optimal sound quality and comfort.

If your hearing aid does not fit you properly, it can lead to various issues. For instance, an ill-fitting hearing aid can cause discomfort, pain and poor sound quality. In some cases, a poorly fitting hearing aid may even cause feedback (whistling sounds). Therefore, it’s essential to get your hearing aid fitted by an audiologist at a hearing aid centre who will adjust the device to fit your ear canal’s shape and size.

What is a Hearing Aid Fitting?

A hearing aid fitting is a procedure that involves testing and fitting a hearing aid into the patient’s ear tailored to his or her unique hearing needs and lifestyle. This involves steps such as initial evaluations, ear impressions, real-time ear measurements, hearing aid selection, hearing aid programming, hearing aid adjustment, demonstration to the final follow-up checkups. It’s very easy and simple.

What is the Importance of a Hearing Aid Fitting?

Here are some of the reasons Hearing Aid Fittings are important

•  It’s cost effective: Hearing aids are technologically advanced devices that come at affordable prices with the need for least fixtures and repairs and a longer lifespan.
• Maximum comfort and fitting: A custom hearing aid will always ensure the maximum comfort and relaxation for your ears. It will even protect you from any kind of soreness or unwanted pain.
• Peace of mind: An audiologist will recommend the best hearing device as per your unique lifestyle, comfort and budget. This will give you complete peace of mind as a user.
• Custom programming: Your audiologist will invariably program the hearing device before you wear it unique to hearing needs and requirements. As a result, you will get the best hearing experience now and in the long run.

Consult an audiologist at Hearing Plus today.

The Process Of Fitting Hearing Aids

During a hearing aid fitting, an audiologist of a hearing aid centre will perform the following steps:

• Assessment: Your audiologist will review your hearing test results and discuss your hearing needs. 
• Selection: Based on the assessment, they will recommend hearing aids that are suitable according to your lifestyle and budget. 
• Programming: The hearing aids will then be programmed by the audiologist.
• Fitting: Finally, they will adjust the hearing aids to ensure that they fit comfortably and securely in your ears.
• Follow-up: The audiologist will explain how to use the hearing aid, keep it safe from moisture and other maintenance issues. Hence, it is important to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure that the hearing aids are functioning properly and meeting your needs.

How an Audiologist Helps in Hearing Aid Fitting

When it comes to hearing aid fittings, an audiologist will help a patient in the following ways:

• The audiologist will perform a hearing test to identify the type of hearing loss you have
• Next, he or she will choose an appropriate hearing aid model unique to your hearing concern
• After, the audiologist will customise the device as per your tailored hearing needs
• Once done, he or she will ensure the best hearing aid fitting and comfort for your ears
• Finally, if need be, the audiologist may ask for some follow-up checkups for the effective maintenance of the hearing aid

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Common Challenges in Hearing Aid Fitting

The Hearing Aid Fitting Process also comes with its fair share of challenges. These include the following:

• Moisture build-up: Unwanted moisture build-up can damage the internal parts of a hearing aid and damage its sound quality.
• Feedback distraction: Hearing aid feedback can sometimes be distracting that happens due to earwax build-up or wrong fitting.
• Discomfort: Hearing aids can at times cause slight headaches or discomfort all because you are wearing a new hearing machine for the first time.
• Wrong fitting: When your hearing aid feels uncomfortable or slips around frequently, it means the fitting of the device is totally incorrect.

Book an appointment with our audiologists if you are facing any of these problems related to hearing aid fitting.

Conclusion

To conclude, the importance of hearing aid and its fitting is increasing day by day. As hearing loss concerns are increasing among the general public, nowadays, almost everyone needs a hearing device that ensures the finest fitting and comfort for their ears.

Starting from BTE, ITC, IIC, and RIC to ITE, there are different styles and models of hearing aids and the hearing aid fittings that patients will get will depend on the type and severity of their hearing loss concerns.

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