A 2022 study reports, “Data from the MarkeTrak 2022 survey indicate most hearing aid owners report regular quality-of-life benefits from hearing aids, even more than in previous surveys.” If you are considering investing in hearing aids, you may be wondering what the whole process entails. In this post, we review what to expect during a hearing aid fitting.
Review of Your Test Results
The results of your comprehensive hearing test will be plotted on an audiogram, which is a visual representation of your hearing loss. Your audiologist will go over the results with you, using your audiogram as a visual tool, so you can see what areas you need improvement in.
Lifestyle Needs Assessment
Once your audiologist reviews information such as your type and degree of hearing loss with you, they’ll conduct a lifestyle needs assessment. For this assessment, they will ask you about what types of listening situations you find yourself in, in order to select an appropriate hearing aid.
If two people both have moderate hearing loss in both ears, but one person mostly does quiet activities at home while the other frequents happy hour at Roma Italian Bistro on North Monroe Street, the second person will need a more advanced hearing aid than the first.
Discussion of Aesthetic Preferences
While many people want their hearing aids to be discreet, others prefer that they stand out. Talk to your audiologist about whether you want your hearing aid to be worn in or over your ear, as well as if you’d like your hearing aid to match your skin or hair or for it to be a bright color.
Though, in some cases, a specific type of hearing aid will provide the right amount of amplification, your audiologist will certainly try to keep your aesthetic preferences in mind when selecting a hearing aid.
Hearing Aid Selection
The next step is for your audiologist to select a hearing aid based on the information from your hearing test and the other discussions.
Hearing Aid Programming
Your audiologist will then program your hearing aid to the exact specifications indicated on your hearing test. They will also create a variety of programs so you can easily switch settings depending on your environment.
Follow-Up
Attend all follow-up visits. Since your hearing test took place in a soundproof booth rather than the real world, you will find that you need the programming to be adjusted on your hearing aids after you leave your audiologist’s office.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Advanced Audiology & Hearing Aids today.
