What to Expect During Your Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment

Although hearing loss can make communication quite challenging, it can be corrected with the help of hearing aids. Therefore, it’s vital to see your audiologist for a hearing aid fitting to enhance functionality and comfort. This article informs you of what to expect during your hearing aid fitting and its benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Hearing Aid Fitting?

Your hearing aids should make life more comfortable by improving your hearing. However, its usefulness might be undermined should you get the wrong fit. Fortunately, you can get the perfect device when you go for a hearing aid fitting. Moreover, your audiologist will teach you how to use and maintain your hearing aids without causing damage. What’s more, they will be programmed to address your hearing needs with most efficiency.

What Should You Expect at Your Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment?

Hearing aid fitting involves specific procedures to help you obtain satisfaction from your new devices. These appointments can last for an hour or more, so it’s best to prepare adequately. Here are some things that would take place at your hearing aid fitting.

Otoscopic Examination

This examination is crucial for determining the proper hearing aid fit. For example, your audiologist would examine your ears for excess wax build-up or your ear canal shape with an otoscope during this process. In addition, they may gently pull your auricle upward and backward to align your acoustic meatus with the ear canal. This helps your audiologist to make a proper evaluation of your hearing condition and the recommended hearing device.

Earmold Fitting

If your hearing aid requires an earmold, chances are your ear impressions were taken at the previous appointment. Now, your audiologist will insert the mold to assess if they fit your ears perfectly. You will also be required to insert and remove them a couple of times to ensure comfort. The molds will be replaced if they don’t fit properly or cause whistling and other feedback issues.

Real Ear Measurement Test

You’ll take a real ear measurement test to ensure that your hearing aids are using the appropriate levels to address your hearing loss severity and other specific needs. For example, your audiologist would place a microtube with a microphone in your ear to measure the sound volume heard in your ear canal, close to your eardrum. Your hearing aids will then be fitted without affecting the test tube, and new measurements will be recorded with your devices in place. This test helps your audiologist to fine-tune your device for the best hearing experience.

Evaluation

Although your hearing aid fitting evaluation is the final fitting stage, it will not be taken at this appointment. Instead, your audiologist will arrange a series of follow-up appointments to determine if your hearing aids function perfectly. You may expect other tests like speech recognition to determine your devices’ performance. However, it’s important to track your experience with your new hearing aids over the first few weeks to assess any concerns to be fixed at your next follow-up appointment.