Hearing Aid Fittings
Best practices refers to the standards and guidelines within an industry to guarantee that its goals are met with the best possible outcomes. These are the best practices for hearing aid fittings.
Audiologic Evaluation
When you make an appointment with an audiologist or hearing aid specialist, the first thing they will do is administer an audiologic exam, also known as a hearing test.
This test will begin with an intake interview and questionnaire to get your own opinion in your own words about how you think you may need help. This is the obvious best place to start to be sure to address your specific needs, as everyone’s situation is unique to them. This will also rule out any psychological or physical issues that may be causing your problems.
Next your hearing will be tested in a soundproof booth, determining how well you are hearing different frequencies and different types of sounds, such as speech. The exact course can vary widely, your personal situation taking the lead in how it progresses.You will be asked questions about tinnitus and your balance.
Needs Assessment
Step 2 is a Needs Assessment. here the specialist will get a practical and actionable sense of your needs and goals. There are different ways to do this, but often the specialist’s course of action will be determined by the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement. The specialist needs to know exactly what you personally hope to achieve to determine how to best help you do that.
Hearing Aid Evaluation
If your specialist decides that hearing aids are the right choice for you, the next step is to determine which style will get the best results. Then it is a matter of choosing the appropriate earmold and the features and accessories for your unique situation. This is a collaborative decision between the both of you depending on your needs and your budget.
When the hearing aid arrives the technician will verify with you that they are working as intended.
Hearing Aid Fitting
The specialist will use all the information gathered from your tests and program the hearing aids using a prescriptive algorithm to match the exact amplification of your hearing loss. This first check will be to make sure that the prescribed settings are a close match. Then there will be two followup tests to customize them exactly to your needs. They must get the fit just right and the volumes of various frequencies just right.
They will adjust the settings to guarantee that your signal to noise ratio is right to improve your ability to hear speech against background sound. And they will give you instructions for proper upkeep and use of your chosen features.
Validation Measures to Assess Benefit
Validation measures will measure your satisfaction with the experience and the benefits you feel you have gotten from the treatment. This will usually be a questionnaire.
Hearing aid fittings most often require 2-3 visits, but it is not uncommon and no reason for alarm if yours takes another visit or two to get it just right. Do not be shy to ask for what you need. Communication is key here and the specialist is depending on you to tell them what you need.
Going Forward
It might be tough to wrap your head around, but your hearing will never be perfect again. But with patience and dedication to getting your hearing aid just right, your hearing loss will not spiral into further consequences in other areas of your life. Investing in your hearing health is an investment in your overall health which is an investment in your contentment and quality of life. There is no expense so great that it would not be worth investing in that.
And remember, this is only a brief overview. Our trained specialists will know exactly what’s right for you and your unique needs. And hearing aids are only treatment among many, including therapy, behavioral modifications, noise masking machines, etc.
Make an appointment with one of our trained specialists today and regain your sense of confidence and ease in the world. Reconnect with your loved ones in all the little ways that you may have even forgot once meant so much to you.
Got Q's?
If you have questions about Oticon hearing devices, reach out to our friendly team to inquire. We aim to be a comprehensive hearing health care center, and will work tirelessly to meet your needs.