A Guide to Hearing Aid Fittings

Once your new hearing aid is ready, your audiologist will schedule your hearing aid fitting. Using this guide to hearing aid fittings, you can prepare yourself for your appointment.

1 . Discuss your hearing condition

When you first arrive at your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will discuss your hearing condition. You’ll have received the results of your hearing test before this appointment. Your audiologist will review that info again to ensure you understand your hearing condition properly. At this stage, you’ll have a chance to ask any questions you have about your type of hearing loss.

2 . Otoscopic exam

Next, your audiologist will examine your ear with an otoscope. An otoscope is an instrument that is used to peer inside your ears. Your audiologist will assess the shape of your ear to help them with the fitting. They will ensure that there is no excess earwax, as this will make it difficult to fit the hearing aid.

3. Check the hearing aid fits 

The next step is to ensure that the earmold and the hearing aid fit correctly. Your audiologist will insert the earmold and assess how tight it is. They will take the earmold out and put it back in to ensure it’s the perfect fit. Your audiologist will check the hearing aid to make sure it’s comfortable. The goal of the hearing aid fitting is to ensure that the hearing aid works properly and does not cause discomfort.

4. REM test

Next, your audiologist will conduct a REM test. A ‘real ear measurement’ test is used to ensure that the hearing aid offers the correct frequencies and sound amplification. Your audiologist will test your hearing while using the hearing aid. They will match the amplification to your needs. As part of the REM test, your audiologist will insert a small tube into your ear. They will play sounds through headphones and check which sounds you can hear.

5. Hearing aid info

During your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will provide you with information about your hearing aid. They will tell you how to use your devices and how to take care of them. They will ensure that you can adjust them if you need to. You’ll be given a lot of information, so you may want to take a few notes to help you. Ask any questions that you have to help you get the best use out of your hearing aid.

6. Follow up

Your audiologist will book a follow-up appointment, which will be about four weeks after your hearing aid fitting. Before your next appointment, you should make a note of how you’re getting on with your hearing aid. Consider the following:

• Am I satisfied with the fit of my hearing aid?
• Is my hearing aid working as I’d like it to?
• Are there any sound environments where my hearing aid hasn’t worked properly?
• Am I happy with the battery life of my hearing aid?

Ideas like these can help you to assess how effective your new hearing aid is. If you’ve had any problems, you can talk about them during your follow-up appointment.