4 Reasons to Schedule a Hearing Aid Fitting

Your audiologist has recommended hearing aids for you, and you’ve placed an order. At this point, many individuals think that all they need to do is wait for their device to arrive and pop them in. To get the most out of your hearing aids, it is highly recommended that you schedule a hearing aid fitting with your audiologist. 

Ensure Hearing Aids Fit Comfortably in Your Ear

The most important reason to schedule a hearing aid fitting with your audiologist is to ensure that the device fits properly. The five most common types of hearing aid designs include:

• In the ear (ITE)
• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the canal (ITC)
• Invisible in canal (IIC)
• Completely in canal (CIC)

While the ITE, BTE and ITC styles are larger and can therefore feel more uncomfortable when they are not correctly fitted, it is important to have IIC and CIC styles properly fitted as well. 

In addition to comfort, a properly fitted hearing aid will function better. If something about the fit is off, your audiologist can test and adjust them to improve both functionality and your comfort. 

Get Hearing Aids Properly Programmed

Though your hearing aids may feel comfortable, they’re fairly useless unless properly programmed. Your audiologist will take their knowledge about your unique type and degree of hearing loss and ensure that the hearing aids are programmed specifically to these factors. 

They’ll also take into account the type of environment you’re often in and ensure that the hearing aids are programmed to allow for optimal amplification and reduction of background noise in these environments. 

If you’ve purchased hearing aids to help with conditions beyond hearing loss, such as tinnitus, your audiologist will also have to program the correct white noise setting to cancel out your symptoms. 

To Learn How to Maintain and Prolong the Life of Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are an investment, and you’ll want to do everything you can to keep them in prime condition. To help you prolong the life of your hearing aids, your audiologist will provide you with instructions on cleaning your device. Generally, it is recommended that you wipe down your hearing aids with a clean, dry cloth at the end of every day. 

Your audiologist will also teach you how to replace the batteries. Though some devices come with rechargeable batteries, it is still common to have hearing aids with disposable batteries. 

Advice on when to wear your hearing aids and when to take them out may also be given by your audiologist. They can also offer useful tips on storing your device. 

Take the Opportunity to Ask Your Audiologist Questions

Though not the primary reason for scheduling a hearing aid fitting, this appointment is also an excellent opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you have about your new hearing aids with your audiologist.

Although audiologists are highly trained professionals, they are not mind readers; if something about the fit and functionality of your new device is bothering you, it is important to have an open and honest conversation about these concerns with your audiologist. They’re there to help you and improve your hearing as much as possible.