4 FAQs About Hearing Aid Fittings

Hearing aids can help you regain one of your most important senses, but many people are unsure about their use because they typically come with some negative stigmas. However, regardless of what other people think, it’s important to take your hearing health seriously and visit an audiologist to have your hearing checked.

One of the most important steps in helping you regain your hearing is the hearing aid fitting process. This is designed to help you determine what type of hearing aids will be best suited for your lifestyle and also to ensure they’re comfortable. These days, there are hearing aids that are suited to virtually every situation, and the fitting process with your audiologist will help you find the perfect pair.

Here are a couple of the most frequently asked questions regarding hearing aid fittings to help you understand the process a bit more and clear up any concerns.

1. What exactly happens during a fitting?

The fitting process is quite involved and will typically take place once your audiologist has determined how much your hearing has deteriorated. First, you’ll be shown your hearing aids and you’ll be walked through on how to turn them on, switch settings and show on. Your audiologist may also demonstrate how it works by explaining the parts. Next, you’ll try them on and you can let your audiologist know if they’re comfortable, if there are any problems and so on. Once you’re happy, you can leave with your hearing aids.

2. What questions should I ask my audiologist?

The fitting process is a great time to ask questions if you’re unsure about anything. Here are some of the most common questions to ask:

• How often will I need to clean my hearing aids?
• How do I come to for repairs?
• What do I do if they stop working?
• Can I purchase a spare as well?
• How often should I use them?

These questions will help you understand more about your specific brand and type of hearing aid.

3. How often do I need to visit my audiologist?

Not very often. Unless there is a problem with your hearing aids or if they’re due in for maintenance, you likely won’t need to visit very often. However, if you don’t feel like your hearing aids are comfortable or you want to try a different pair, then you’re always welcome to visit your audiologist again and schedule a follow-up appointment. You’ll likely be asked to attend an appointment a couple of weeks after the initial fitting process just to see how you’re doing, but after that, you likely won’t need to visit very often.

4. What are some basic do’s and don’ts for my hearing aids?

Hearing aids are delicate, so here are a couple of tips to help you take care of them:

• Do keep them in a bag or storage case so you don’t lose them
• Do keep them clean and wipe them down after each use to prevent grime and sweat buildup
• Do treat them well so you don’t damage any of the wires or circuits
• Don’t throw them around
• Don’t stuff them into a tight pocket, especially if they have wires
• Don’t get the hearing aids wet