So, you’ve been to see your local audiologist, and they performed an assessment of your hearing and determined that you need to wear a hearing aid. That is not the end of the world, and you should notice a vast improvement in your ability to communicate once you get access to the devices. Of course, you’ll have to go for a fitting first, and that can become a little confusing and stressful for some people. In the hope of setting the record straight and putting your mind at rest, this page discusses the process from start to finish. So, you’ll know what to expect.

A thorough hearing test

If you haven’t had one already, your audiologist will conduct a hearing test to determine the nature of your condition and the cause of your hearing loss. That exam should take no longer than an hour, but many professionals tend to get it done faster than that. Only when the specialist has access to the right information will they begin your hearing aid fitting. That process is painless and stress-free, and so there is no need to get worked up before your appointment. From the results of the assessment, the audiologist will know how much volume gain your hearing aids need to provide.

Recommendations from the audiologist

There are many different types of hearing aid on the market today, and some might perform better than others based on the nature of your hearing loss. With that in mind, you can expect your audiologist to make lots of recommendations before your hearing aid fitting can take place. Only when you both agree on the best device for you will the professional show you how to use the product and set it up.

Setting the hearing aid up

Hearing aids are often capable of producing many different levels of volume. So, in some instances, it’s possible they could damage an ear if you have the device set too loud. That is the last thing you want to happen, and your audiologist will advise on using your chosen product before you leave their premises. Indeed, in many instances, they will complete the hearing aid fitting and ensure everything works as expected before sending you home. All you have to do then is make sure you remember the recommended settings and use them every day. With a bit of luck, you will notice a considerable improvement in your hearing immediately.

Understanding what to expect during your hearing aid fitting should make you feel more confident than you did before about the procedure. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to create holes in your head or perform any invasive surgeries. So, stop reading those scaremongering articles online and make sure you visit your chosen audiologist as soon as possible. You will begin to enjoy life that little bit more once you can hear correctly again and join in with all those conversations your friends hold. If you get stressed about your appointment, just take a family member along for support.