4 Factors in a Successful Hearing Aid Fitting

Everyone knows there are many benefits to wearing a hearing aid, but that doesn’t mean that all hearing aids will do the right job. The only way to ensure that a hearing aid improves the wearer's life is to ensure that they have the right one. If they don’t, then they could find that it’s more of a hindrance than a help. 

We’re going to take a look at some of the key factors that’ll determine a successful hearing aid fitting. If you’re thinking about buying hearing aids, then make sure that the following factors are part of your fitting process. If they do, then it won’t be long before you’re able to enjoy all the many benefits that having a hearing aid can bring. 

Work with the best

The first step is to make sure that you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing. Actually, perhaps the first step is to work with someone at all. In this day and age, it’s possible to buy a hearing aid from a wide range of sources; there are companies who will simply ship you a device in the post. While this can be tempting, it is not the right approach, for one simple reason: those hearing aids have not been fitted to your specific needs. 

A hearing aid is a beautiful piece of technology, but it only works as intended if the hearing aids are properly selected and fitted. Only a hearing instrument specialist will be able to do this for you. So, when it comes to getting your hearing aid, be sure to do your research so that you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing. Ultimately, you should have trust in the professional, and faith that they’re going to find the solution that’s right for your specific needs.

Analyzing the extent of the hearing loss

Before you’re able to walk away with a hearing aid, the extent of the hearing loss will need to be determined. There are various different aspects to a hearing test, which the professional will walk you through. Once they’ve done that and they’ve seen what your level of hearing is, they’ll be able to look at the different hearing aid devices that are available to you. There are a number of different options that’ll be available to you, but depending on the severity of the loss, there may be one that is more suitable than others. That’ll all become clearer after the professional test has been conducted.

Finding the right option

Once the test has been conducted, you’ll be able to go through the different types of hearing aids that are available. In general, there will be three available to you – these are in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC). There are advantages to all of them, and in many cases, which one the customer chooses comes down to personal preference, though the professional you’re working with will help guide you through the selection process. In certain cases, there may only be one option available, for example, if the extent of the hearing loss is extensive, then only the most powerful hearing aid may be appropriate. 

Ready for the world 

The final factor that’ll contribute to a successful hearing aid fitting is ensuring that the customer feels happy when they’re leaving the store with their hearing aid. It’s likely that there’ll be a little bit of time between the test and the final fitting. It’s not just about making sure that the hearing aid is working as it should and feels comfortable. It’s also important that the person understands how to put the hearing aid on and take it off, change the batteries, and things like that. The professional will walk them through every step. By the time that they leave, they should feel confident that they’re able to manage all aspects of the hearing aid without having a professional by their side to do it for them. 

If you’re reading to get a hearing fitted, then be sure to get in touch with us here at Affordable Hearing. We offer a comprehensive hearing loss service, and will work with you to ensure that you get a hearing aid that feels comfortable and which helps to improve your hearing capabilities. You can give us a call at 803-749-6017 (Irmo) or 803-531-6403 (Orangeburg and Santee), and one of our helpful and friendly members of staff will be happy to assist you.