Why It’s Vital to Have a Hearing Aid Fitting

These days, it is possible to order hearing aids over the internet and fit them yourself. However, audiologists recommend against this because it doesn’t ensure a proper fit or customization. That’s because hearing aid fittings offer a host of benefits that simply aren’t available if you do it yourself. In this article, we explore why it is vital to get a hearing aid fitting and how it can help you get the most out of your new devices.

Learn How to Use Your Devices

Modern hearing aids are complex microelectronic devices offering a wide range of features. Because of this, it can be challenging to learn all of these yourself. However, a professional fitting can help. Audiologists show you how to use your devices and get the most out of them. Plus, they can introduce you to features that you might not have seen before if you are used to wearing older models. 

Apply the Right Settings

Audiologists also use hearing aid fittings to adjust settings on your device to accommodate your unique hearing loss needs. That might mean amplifying high-pitch sounds more than lower tones or providing you with hearing aids that can dynamically adjust sound amplification, depending on your environment. Getting the right settings can take a lot of adjustment and testing.

Set Your Expectations

The hearing experience that you get with hearing aids is not the same as regular hearing. Amplified sounds from a machine are different from regular noises. Because of this, audiologists use hearing aid fittings to set your expectations. They explain to you that the experience of wearing an assistive hearing device may be a little strange to begin with. However, eventually, your brain and body will adjust, and wearing a hearing aid will feel more natural. 

They will also tell you what to expect in terms of sound quality. You may notice that the sounds reaching your ears are different when you wear hearing aids compared to before you had hearing loss. Again, audiologists will explain to you that your brain will adjust and, eventually, hearing will be natural. 

Learn How to Care for Your Devices

Lastly, hearing aid fittings teach you how to care for your device. Modern hearing aids are sophisticated pieces of equipment that are susceptible to dirt buildup and moisture damage. Audiologists will teach you about the importance of keeping your hearing aids dry and taking them out when you get in the shower or go swimming. They may also consult with you about various devices that you can use to dry your hearing aids, particularly at night, preventing excessive moisture build-up. 

Caring for your hearing aids also requires regularly cleaning them with the right equipment. Audiologists can show you how to do this without getting your devices wet. They may also recommend cleaning services that open up your hearing aids and ensure 100% debris removal.