4 Factors in a Successful Hearing Aid Fitting

by | Jan 18, 2021 | Hearing Aids, Patient Resources

A skilled and experienced audiologist will be able to make sure that your hearing aid is fitted correctly and will allow you to enjoy great hearing.

When it comes to fitting hearing aids, there are a range of factors that go into ensuring that it’s done correctly. When you experience hearing loss, it’s important to make sure that you are working with a skilled audiologist in order to hear strongly once again.

A skilled and experienced audiologist will be able to make sure that your hearing aid is fitted correctly and will allow you to enjoy great hearing. In this article, we are going to take a look at the factors that help you to ensure that your hearing aid is fitted correctly.

What are hearing aids for?

To start with, it’s handy to understand what hearing aids are used for. When you experience hearing loss, you may find that it’s hard for you to hear as well as you once did. Or at all. However, by turning to a hearing aid, you may find that you can hear clearly once again. This is why it’s important to not only ensure that your hearing aid is fitted correctly and that you have the right one.

What types are available?

First, we have the behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, which are the traditional sort that you would see, are the largest size and suit some of the more severe forms of hearing loss. Then there are the in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, which are smaller and fit within the ear for a more discreet fit. Finally, there’s also the in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, which are the smallest and most discreet, but they are not suitable for all forms of hearing loss.

Now we’re going to take a look at the four key factors that play a part in fitting a hearing aid successfully.

The severity of hearing loss

Hearing loss can come in many different levels. Therefore, it’s important to assess and understand the severity of hearing loss when fitting a hearing aid successfully. If the hearing loss has been quite profound or the sound is distorted, then it’s going to play a part of how the hearing aid is fitted. So, both the type and the degree of hearing loss needs to be considered here.

The patient’s condition

Next, there’s also the actual physical characteristics of the patient that come into play. It’s important to take a look at things like the shape of the ear canal, along with its size. But then also the sharpness of the hearing and mind can be considered here. By understanding the makeup of the patient, an audiologist is then able to ensure that the fitting will be a success.

The patient’s desires

Now, as important as the condition of the patient and the severity of the hearing loss both are, it’s also essential to take into consideration the desires of the patient. When looking to get a hearing aid fitted, a patient is likely to have different ideas of what this will look and feel like. It’s important for an audiologist to take this into consideration and guide a patient on what is possible. Some of the desires could include the look of the hearing aids, the different setups available, different controls and also what their needs actually are too.

The level of skill when fitting

Finally, another factor that goes into fitting hearing aids successfully is the level of skill that our chosen audiologist has. It’s important to find an audiologist that you trust and get along with. It’s also a good idea to ensure that they have the correct training, education and experience. You’ll want to ensure that they are aware of a range of options and brands that could work for you, rather than just pushing one set option. And, you’ll want to ensure that they are asking you the right questions about your hearing loss and your needs too. Then, when you have found an audiologist you trust, you can begin your journey of fitting your hearing aid successfully.

In conclusion, you can see that there is a range of factors that go into the idea of fitting a hearing aid successfully. Choosing the right one can come down to a patient’s personal preference combined with the aid that will support hearing. This could be ITE, BTE or ITC, and your audiologist can provide insight and advice on what might be best.

If you’d like to learn more about Allison Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, P.C., take a look around our website or give us a call today at Houston: 713-827-1767.

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Jana Emola-Austin, Au.D.

Raised in Bryan, Texas, Jana completed her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University before attending the University of North Texas with an ambition to earn her master’s degree in speech pathology. However, a required audiology class soon set her on a new career path. She became enthralled with the subject and says audiology resonated with her because it involved everything she enjoys – helping people to improve their lives and relationships with others and using technology to make positive impacts. Following this revelation, Jana went on to graduate with her Doctor of Audiology degree. After many years of assisting patients in the clinic on a daily basis, Jana’s main responsibilities at Allison Audiology have shifted to a management role. She now works behind the scenes focusing on administrative, management, and marketing responsibilities.