How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Hearing Aid Fitting

According to a recent study, nearly 29 million adults in the United States could benefit from using hearing aids. This is unsurprising, given that they allow you to continue life as normal when experiencing hearing loss. However, the first step to reaping the benefits of hearing aids is having your hearing aids fitted. If you’re a first-time user, this can seem a little intimidating – but it’s really nothing to worry about. With that in mind, here are some tips you can follow to prepare for your upcoming hearing aid fitting.

Be Prepared to Talk About Your Hearing Health

During your hearing aid fitting, your audiologist will likely ask plenty of questions about your hearing health. This will help them to understand the severity of the hearing loss you are dealing with, as different styles may offer better support depending on this. This can also come in handy if you are hoping to address specific concerns through the use of your hearing aids. They may also ask you some questions relating to your lifestyle at this time, as this could again make it easier to determine which style of hearing aid is best for you.

Do Some Research

As discussed above, there are many different styles of hearing aids. This includes:

• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: In-the-ear hearing aids fit inside the outer bowl of the ear, these are for people with mild-to-moderately-severe hearing loss.
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids: Behind-the-ear hearing aids contain a mold that sits behind the ear.
• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids: In-the-canal hearing aids will sit in your canal, and these are only for people with mild hearing loss. ITC hearing aids are the most discreet.

Doing some research on the different hearing aid styles ahead of time will make it easier for you to decide which you’d like to use. For example, BTE hearing aids are often recommended for users with mild-to-profound hearing loss.

Understand What to Expect in the Fitting

Knowing what to expect from the fitting itself can also help you to prepare for this visit to your audiologist. During your fitting, you will:

• Discuss your hearing health with your audiologist.
• Discuss different types of hearing aids and their benefits.
• Try out different hearing aids. If you choose an ITE, a mold will be taken to ensure the hearing aid fits perfectly into your ear.

Once you’ve selected a pair of hearing aids, your audiologist will also demonstrate how to use them effectively so that you can reap the many benefits of the device.

Ask Any Questions You May Have

During your appointment, be sure to ask any questions you may have or to voice your concerns with your audiologist. They are an expert within their field and, as such, can put worries to bed quickly. They’ll also be able to provide you with a range of tips you can use to keep your hearing aids in good condition. Simply put, there are no silly questions – and it’s crucial that you feel confident in your decision to purchase hearing aids.