What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting with Our Audiologists?

At Greentree Hearing & Audiology, we understand that a proper hearing aid fitting is crucial for ensuring our patients get the most out of their devices. Getting fitted for hearing aids is an exciting step towards better hearing, but we know it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Our experienced audiologists take great care to make this process as thorough and comfortable as possible. Let's walk through what you can expect during a hearing aid fitting at our clinic.

Preparation

Before your fitting appointment, you’ll first visit us for a comprehensive hearing evaluation. During that appointment, we will carefully test your hearing, explain your test results, and take the time to understand your lifestyle needs and personal preferences. Taking all of this information into account, we will prepare a selection of hearing aid models that will best suit your hearing needs. 

As an independently-owned practice, we pride ourselves in offering our patients devices from all of the leading manufacturers, rather than being beholden to one single brand. We are here to answer any questions you might have to help you make your selection. Once selected, we'll order your devices and prepare them for your fitting.

Initial Discussion

When you arrive for your fitting, we'll start with a brief discussion. We'll review the hearing aids you’ve selected, explaining how they will work for you based on your specific hearing loss and lifestyle. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have about the devices or the fitting process.

Physical Fit

Next, we'll ensure that your new hearing aids fit comfortably and securely. For behind-the-ear (BTE) models, we'll adjust the tubing length and ensure the earmold or dome fits snugly in your ear canal. For custom models that fit in the ear, we'll check that the custom-made shell sits properly in your ear.

We pay close attention to comfort during this step. If you feel any discomfort or pressure, please let us know immediately so we can make adjustments. A proper physical fit is essential not only for comfort but also for optimal sound quality and to prevent feedback (whistling).

Programming

Once we've achieved a comfortable fit, we'll connect your hearing aids to our computer and begin the programming process. Using specialized software, we'll adjust various settings to match your specific hearing loss profile.

This initial programming is based on prescriptive formulas derived from your hearing test results. However, it's important to understand that this is just a starting point. Everyone's hearing is unique, and these preset formulas don't always perfectly match an individual's preferences or needs.

Real-Ear Measurement

To ensure your hearing aids are providing the right amount of amplification, we use a technique called real-ear measurement. This involves placing a tiny microphone in your ear canal while you're wearing your hearing aids. We then play various sounds and measure how much amplification you're receiving at different frequencies.

This objective measurement allows us to fine-tune the programming to match your specific needs more accurately. It's a crucial step that many hearing aid fittings skip, but it's essential for achieving the best possible outcomes.

Listening Practice and Fine-Tuning

After the initial programming and real-ear measurement, we'll have you practice listening to various sounds and voices. We might play recorded speech or have a conversation with you to assess how well you're hearing in different scenarios.

Based on your feedback during these exercises, we'll make further adjustments to the hearing aid settings. This might involve tweaking the volume in certain frequency ranges, adjusting noise reduction settings, or fine-tuning directional microphones.

Learning to Use Your Hearing Aids

An important part of the fitting process is teaching you how to use and care for your new hearing aids. We'll show you how to:

• Insert and remove your hearing aids properly
• Operate any controls on the devices (like volume adjustments or program changes)
• Change or charge the batteries
• Clean and maintain your hearing aids

If your hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity or companion smartphone apps, we'll help you set these up and show you how to use these features.

Discussing Expectations and Adaptation

Before you leave, we'll have a conversation about what to expect as you adapt to your new hearing aids. It's important to understand that it takes time for your brain to adjust to hearing sounds it may not have heard clearly in years.

We'll provide tips for gradually increasing your wearing time and strategies for managing challenging listening situations. We'll also discuss common initial experiences, like finding your own voice sounds different or being more aware of background noises.

Follow-Up Plan

Finally, we'll schedule follow-up appointments. These are crucial for ensuring your continued success with your hearing aids. At these appointments, we can make any necessary adjustments based on your real-world experiences and address any concerns you might have.

Typically, we recommend a follow-up within 1-2 weeks of your initial fitting, with additional appointments as needed over the next few months.

Ongoing Support

Remember, our support doesn't end when you walk out the door with your new hearing aids. We're here to help you throughout your hearing journey. If you encounter any issues or have questions between appointments, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

The Importance of a Proper Fitting

A thorough hearing aid fitting, like the one we provide at Greentree Hearing & Audiology, is essential for several reasons:

• It ensures you get the maximum benefit from your hearing aids
• It helps prevent common issues like discomfort or feedback
• It gives you the knowledge and confidence to use your hearing aids effectively
• It sets realistic expectations and prepares you for the adaptation process

While it might seem like a long process, investing this time upfront leads to better outcomes and higher satisfaction in the long run.

We understand that getting hearing aids can feel like a big step. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible, ensuring you leave our office feeling confident and excited about your improved hearing.

At Greentree Hearing & Audiology, we're committed to providing personalized care that meets your unique needs. Our experienced audiologists use the latest technology and best practices to help you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes. We look forward to guiding you through your hearing aid fitting and supporting you on your journey to better hearing.