The hearing aid fitting process: What to expect

Imagine talking to your friend without straining to hear their words or catching up on your favorite TV shows without constantly adjusting the volume ...

When you are considering hearing aids for the first time, those things may seem like a far-off dream. But once you have new tech in your ears, it will become your reality.

Below, you will find a walk-through of the hearing aid fitting process and what to expect when you visit a local hearing care professional. So, let's get started on your journey to better hearing.

What do your ears need?

The first step in the hearing aid fitting process is an initial consultation with a hearing care professional.

For this appointment, you can expect:

• A hearing test to determine the type and level of your hearing loss
• A discussion about your lifestyle, communication needs, and expectations
• Recommendations on hearing aid models that match your needs

Selecting the right hearing aids

Once your hearing care professional determines your hearing needs, the next step is choosing the right hearing aids.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Style - Hearing aids come in various styles, including receiver-in-canal (RIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and in-the-canal (ITC) models. Your hearing care professional will explain the pros and cons of each style.
• Features - Modern hearing aids have advanced features to help you hear speech clearly in noisy environments. They can also stream sound from your tablet, TV or phone. Discuss which features are most important to you with your hearing care professional.
• Budget - Hearing aids are available at different price points. Your hearing care professional will help you balance your needs and budget.

Customizing Your Hearing Aids

After selecting the right hearing aids, your hearing care professional will customize them to fit your ears and to give you the best possible listening experience. This process involves:

• Choosing which ear tip size and style is right for you – or taking impressions of your ears to create custom earmolds or shells
• Programming your hearing aids to match your specific hearing loss and preferences
• Ensuring a comfortable and secure fit

Fine-tuning and adjustments

Once your hearing aids are sitting comfortably in your ears, you can test them in various listening situations. This step allows your hearing care professional to make any necessary adjustments to optimize your hearing experience. You will also learn how to care for and maintain your new hearing aids.

Make sure that you and your hearing care professional discuss how the hearing aids sound and feel in different environments like at home, work, in the car, and in noisy places. Making minor adjustments to the volume, level of pitches, or other settings is always possible.

Continuing your journey to better hearing

Adjusting to hearing aids does not end after your first appointment. The process takes time, and your hearing care professional will be there to support you throughout the process. Some hearing aids also have an app that lets you adjust on-the-go based on your listening preferences.

Regardless of which hearing aids you have, there will be a few follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Ready to take the first step? Visit a local hearing care professional today and discover how Signia hearing aids can help you hear your best.