What to expect
Picture conversing with a friend without having to strain to understand what they’re saying or enjoying your favourite TV series without the need to keep tweaking the sound.
At first glance, the idea of getting hearing aids might seem like something you’ll never experience. However, once you start using them, it will feel like a dream come true. In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the process of getting hearing aids fitted and what to anticipate during your visit to a hearing care specialist.
So, let’s begin your adventure towards improved hearing.
What do your ears need?
The initial phase of the hearing aid adjustment procedure involves a preliminary meeting with a specialist in hearing care.
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
After your audiologist figures out what kind of hearing assistance you require, the following action is selecting the appropriate hearing devices.
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.
Customising Your Hearing Aids
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate hearing aids, your audiologist will tailor them to suit your ear shape and to provide you with an optimal listening experience.
This procedure includes:
- 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
After your hearing aids are securely in place, you can begin to evaluate them in different listening scenarios. This phase enables your audiologist to fine-tune your hearing aids for an enhanced listening experience. Additionally, you will be educated on the proper care and upkeep of your new hearing devices.
It’s important to communicate with your audiologist about the sound and comfort of the hearing aids in various settings such as your home, workplace, vehicle, and in loud areas. Small modifications to the sound volume, pitch range, or other features are always an option.
Continuing your journey to better hearing
Getting used to hearing aids doesn’t stop once you leave your initial visit. The journey to getting used to them is gradual, and your audiologist will be available to help you every step of the way.
Certain hearing aids come with an app that allows you to fine-tune them while you’re out, according to how you like to hear. No matter the type of hearing aids you choose, you’ll likely need to attend a few more check-up visits to track your improvement and make any needed tweaks.