The hearing aid fitting process

Following your hearing test, if you have hearing loss, your hearing care provider may recommend hearing aids. You will then need to determine which hearing aids work best for you and have them fit by your hearing professional.

After selecting a hearing aid to order, your next appointment would be the hearing aid fitting. This appointment is crucial to your success as a hearing aid wearer.

One of the main reasons why those with hearing aids don't wear them is their ill fit or inaccurate programming. A hearing aid fitting appointment ensures that your hearing aids meet your needs so you continue wearing them.

What can I expect from a hearing aid fitting?

If this is your first hearing aid, you may not know what to expect from a hearing aid fitting appointment.

The focus of the appointment is to ensure:

• your hearing aid is a comfortable fit
• the sound is appropriate to your hearing loss and needs
• you understand how your hearing aids work and how to take care of them

Your hearing healthcare provider is an expert at fitting hearing aids. At your hearing aid fitting appointment, he or she will show you how to use and care for your hearing aids without overwhelming you.

Bring a loved one to your hearing aid fitting, if you can

It is often helpful to have a family member or friend with you at your hearing aid fitting appointment. He or she can help remember the information presented and provide support. It is also good to have a familiar voice to listen to when you first have the hearing aid fitting. 

Don't worry. Your hearing professional will review the information and answer any questions you have. 

How long does it take to get a hearing aid fitting?

A hearing aid fitting takes one to two hours to complete. You will have plenty of time to ensure your hearing aids are fit and programmed to your exact needs.

How to fit hearing aids

When the hearing aids you've chosen arrive at the hearing clinic, your hearing professional will have some work to do before your hearing aid fitting appointment.

Using specialized software, your hearing healthcare provider programs your hearing aids. This sets your hearing aids to your specific hearing loss, based on your audiogram.

Once that is done, you can move on to the hearing aid fitting appointment.

What are the main stages of hearing aid fitting?

There are three main stages of a hearing aid fitting appointment: the comfort test, the sound test, and the aftercare. Each stage ensures your hearing aids are functioning and continue functioning the way you want them to.

1. Comfort test

You'll want to make sure the hearing aids fit snugly in your ear canal. If they are behind-the-ear (BTE) aids, you'll also want the aids to be comfortable and secure behind your ears too. Hearing aids should not be painful to wear. 

Your hearing professional will show you how to properly put on and remove your hearing aids.

2. Sound test

Your hearing care provider will verify that the hearing aids are set to the accurate sound levels using a real-ear system. This involves measuring the sound from the hearing aids while you wear them. Your hearing professional could also simulate the response in a test box. Then, he or she may fine-tune the sound you hear based on your initial reactions.

3. Hearing aid care and use

Once the hearing aids fit well in your ears, you will learn how the hearing aids work and how to care for them. Typical information covered at a hearing aid fitting includes:

• How to correctly put the hearing aids in your ears and remove them again. This will ensure you get all the sound you should be hearing. This will also ensure that the hearing aids are comfortable and unlikely to fall out of your ears and get lost.
• When and how to change the hearing aid battery or charge the battery. The hearing aids will often warn you when the battery is getting low. Hearing aids stop working when a low battery level starts affecting their performance. 
• When and how to change the wax guards, if your hearing aids have one. Wax guards stop earwax from getting into the hearing aids and causing damage. The guards act like a small trap and you will occasionally need to replace them. If they get too full, sound cannot get through and you will notice you are not hearing well with the hearing aids.
• How to use your hearing aid smartphone app. Most hearing aids come with smartphone apps that allow you to check battery levels and more.
• How to clean the hearing aids and any earpieces that come with them.
• How to adjust the hearing aids and learn how to use any accessories or a remote control that come with them. You can make your hearing aids fully automatic or you can have the option to manually adjust them. 
• Where to store the hearing aids and the batteries when not in use. Keep hearing aids and hearing aid batteries away from hot and humid temperatures, pets and small children.
• What to do if the hearing aid gets wet. Most hearing aids have a water-resistant coating, but don't do well if submerged in water. If the aids get wet, you will need to dry them out.
• The manufacturer's warranty period and any loss and damage coverage.
• Scheduling future visits with your hearing healthcare provider. Learn what to do if questions or concerns arise.

It takes time to acclimate to hearing aids

It can take a few weeks to a few months to get used to hearing better. You will notice that your own voice sounds a little different. Other people's voices should sound clearer. After your hearing aid fitting, you may start to notice little sounds like a ticking clock, a blowing fan or the birds chirping outside. With regular use of your hearing aids, these sounds will once again seem normal.

You can request custom hearing aid settings

Communicate any concerns you have to your hearing healthcare provider at your hearing aid fitting. Your hearing aid settings can always change to improve your listening experience. Everyone's experience of their hearing is unique to them. One of the more common requests at a hearing aid fitting is to add a setting for listening to music or to mask tinnitus. 

Though hearing aids cannot heal your damaged hearing, they are amazingly flexible devices. Your hearing healthcare provider will work with you to get you the best outcome. 

Follow-up visits and hearing aid adjustments

Your hearing aid fitting appointment shouldn't be your last at a hearing clinic. The sounds you hear in the office do not provide the best test of your hearing aids. The situations and people you had difficulty hearing before you had them fit are the true test. 

You will likely have a follow up appointment a few weeks after your hearing aid fitting. Here, you can discuss your experiences with the aids outside the clinic. 

Remember, your hearing professional can make many adjustments to your hearing aids. You can also use assistive listening devices or accessories with your hearing aids.

Your hearing healthcare provider should provide counselling on all aspects of your hearing at your hearing aid fitting. You should also have your hearing loss monitored with annual hearing tests. Your hearing aids will need adjustments if your hearing loss changes over time. You may even get used to hearing from the hearing aids and find you need them fine-tuned further.

Tell your hearing care professional your specific needs. At your hearing aid fitting, he or she will customize a plan that will get you the best results. 

Are you in Canada? Find a hearing instrument specialist or audiologist near you.