Have you gotten a hearing test that indicated you have a hearing loss that could be treated with hearing aids? If so, the next step is a hearing aid fitting. If you’re wondering what a hearing aid fitting is, we have the answer below.
Hearing Aid Fittings: A 3-Step Process
There are three steps in a hearing aid fitting: hearing aid selection, programming the hearing aid and the adjustment period.
1. Hearing Aid Selection
The results of your hearing test are plotted on an audiogram, which is a visual representation of your hearing loss. The audiogram helps the audiologist determine what type of hearing aid you would best benefit from, as it indicates the exact type and degree of your hearing loss.
If you have more severe hearing loss, you will need a more powerful device like a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. However, if your loss is mild, you can wear something smaller like an invisible-in-canal (IIC) device.
During the selection process, your audiologist will also ask you about your lifestyle, expectations and desired features. If you live an active lifestyle and have a demanding job or frequently go out with friends at Steamboat Bill’s, you’ll need more hearing aid features than someone who lives a quiet lifestyle and spends most of their time at home.
Some of today’s hearing aid features include:
- Bluetooth compatibility
- Smartphone connectivity
- Automatic programming
- Background noise reduction
- Directional microphones
2. Hearing Aid Programming
The next step of the hearing aid fitting process is to have the hearing aid programmed.
Again, your audiologist will use your audiogram, as it specifies exactly how loud sounds have to be at various frequencies in order for you to hear them.
Your audiologist will use a computer to program the devices to the exact specifications of your hearing loss.
3. Hearing Aid Adjustment Period
Putting in a hearing aid is not the same as putting on a pair of glasses; your ears and brain need time to re-learn how to hear important sounds and filter out ambient ones. This is why you’ll start off wearing your devices for just a few hours a day.
In addition, you may find that you need the programming of your hearing aid to be adjusted. This is because the hearing test was conducted in a sound booth, which is much different than real-world listening situations. Plan to revisit your audiologist a couple of times to have the programming of your devices tweaked.
You’re already seeing your audiologist for a hearing test and to be counseled on what options are best for you, which is why there’s no better place to purchase your hearing aids.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call the Hearing Center of Lake Charles today.