Hearing aid fittings pertain to the process of adjusting and customizing hearing aids to match the unique needs and preferences of a person with hearing loss. This includes choosing the appropriate device and programming it to maximize the clarity and sound quality based on the specific type and degree of hearing loss.

Going to an audiologist for professional hearing aid fitting is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and comfort of the device. Hearing aids that are not properly fitted can lead to dissatisfaction with the device, discomfort, and reduced speech understanding. An ill-fitting hearing aid may result in the user missing out on critical sounds and conversations.

It is highly recommended that hearing aid fittings be performed by licensed audiologists, who have the skills, training, and expertise to conduct hearing evaluations and make recommendations to ensure the best hearing aid performance.

Audiologists at Abilene Audiology Co. perform accurate hearing aid fittings, ongoing support, and follow-up care to ensure that hearing aids continue to meet specific hearing needs over time.

What happens during a hearing aid fitting?

Hearing aid fittings involve several steps to optimize the performance of hearing aids.

Below are the six main stages of a typical hearing aid fitting process:

Assessment: It starts off with a comprehensive hearing evaluation, which includes a review of medical history, a physical examination of the ears, and hearing tests to determine the type and extent of hearing loss.
Selection: Based on the hearing test results, an audiologist will then recommend a hearing aid that is best suited to the specific hearing loss, lifestyle, budget, and preferences.
Customization and Programming: The hearing aid is then customized and programmed to the wearer’s unique hearing needs.
Fitting: The hearing aid is then fitted to the patient’s ear to check if it sits comfortably in the ear while providing a comfortable and clear level of amplification.
Verification: A series of tests will be conducted to verify if the device is functioning properly and providing the best sound quality and clarity to address the hearing loss.
Follow-up: The final stage of hearing aid fitting involves ongoing support, adjustments to the device’s settings, counseling on communication strategies, regular hearing check-ups, and follow-up care to monitor the patient’s hearing. This ensures that the hearing aid is functioning optimally to address the hearing loss.

Adjustment period

Adjusting to new hearing aids is normal and very common for new users. Having an adjustment period is expected as you acclimate to wearing hearing aids and hearing amplified sounds that you’ve never heard before.

The length of the adjustment period varies depending on the type of hearing aids, degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, and communication needs.

During the adjustment period, it is normal to experience some unfamiliarity or discomfort with the sounds picked up by the hearing aid. You may also have some challenges adjusting to the volume levels of different sounds or understanding speech in noisy environments.

Below are some tips to help you ease into daily use of hearing aids:

Start in a quiet environment. It’s nice to practice wearing the hearing aid at home where the sounds are familiar and not so loud.
Gradually increase wearing time.
Ease into listening in different environments. As you continue to use your hearing aids, you can gradually expose yourself to various listening environments with varying levels of noise.

Make sure to be present during follow-up appointments with your audiologist to enable them to monitor your progress and make necessary changes.

Hearing Aid Fitting FAQs

Are hearing aid fittings covered by insurance?

Hearing aid fittings may be covered by insurance, but it depends on your insurance plan. Some insurance plans may cover just a portion or all of the cost of the hearing aid fitting, while others may not provide any coverage at all. The best thing to do is to check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage. You can also check with your Audiologist about their insurance and financing options.

How can I make my hearing aid fit better?

You can try adjusting the dome or earmold to ensure a proper and comfortable fit. If you continue to experience a poor fit or discomfort, it may be necessary to have your hearing aid re-fitted or adjusted by an audiologist.

How long does it take for a hearing aid to be fitted?

Generally, hearing aid fittings take 1 hour. The length of time it takes to fit a hearing aid varies depending on the type of hearing aid, the experience of the audiologist, and the personal preferences of the patient.

Hearing Aid Fittings in Abilene, TX

During a hearing aid fitting, we encourage patients to work closely with Their audiologist to come up with an optimized hearing experience. We also encourage our patients to be open and provide feedback throughout the process, as this will help us fine-tune the device and ensure that it meets specific needs and preferences.