Receiving Care

Hearing Aid Fitting: What To Expect

Get a step-by-step walkthrough from our experts!

Last update on Mar, 28, 2024

Getting ready for your first hearing aid fitting? It's normal to feel a mix of emotions before trying anything new. But don't let anxiety get in the way of your journey to better hearing.

The truth is hearing aid fittings are quite personalized. The goal is to ensure your device fits comfortably and is programmed correctly to help you reclaim your favorite sounds.

To help you relax and prepare, we've created a helpful guide to use and share with others about what to expect at your first hearing aid fitting.

Why Do I Need a Hearing Aid Fitting?

Wearing hearing aids is much different from putting on a pair of prescription glasses. What we mean is you don't put them on and start hearing perfectly right away.

Instead, your hearing care provider will program them gradually to your full prescription, giving you time to adjust to the new sounds without feeling overwhelmed.

Because everyone experiences hearing loss differently (sometimes in one or both ears), hearing aids must be customized to meet your unique needs.

This includes:

Selecting the right types of hearing aids
Programming it to amplify sounds in the correct frequencies
Adjusting the settings to suit your specific lifestyle and environment

Due to this high level of personalization, it may take up to three visits to get your hearing aids completely tuned in.

1 Step 1: Virtual Screening

2 Step 2: Professional Hearing Evaluation

3 Step 3: Consultation

Before Your Hearing Aid Fitting

Before the fitting, a few essential steps must be completed to ensure you qualify for prescription hearing aids.

Step 1: Virtual Screening

Is hearing loss impacting your lifestyle? A quick and easy way to discover whether it’s time to take action and seek care for hearing loss is by completing a virtual hearing screening from the comfort of home.

Virtual Screening

Step 2: Professional Hearing Evaluation

Based on the results of your virtual hearing screening, your next step might be a professional evaluation. Amplifon can help you check your insurance to understand your coverage options and find a hearing care provider near you to schedule an appointment.

A hearing evaluation involves a series of tests to assess the severity of your hearing loss.

It typically includes:

A review of your medical history
A physical examination of the ears
A series of hearing tests, including pure-tone and speech testing, to measure the ability to hear different tones and volumes.

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Step 3: Consultation

Your provider will discuss all test results with you and make recommendations on hearing aids.

Once you've selected your hearing aids, your provider will order them and take impressions for earmolds if needed.

How Long Does It Take to Get Hearing Aids?

On average, it can take 1-3 weeks. Your provider will contact you when your hearing aids arrive and help you schedule your fitting.

Hearing Aid Fitting: What You Need to Know

Your fitting appointment may take up to an hour. During this time, your hearing care provider will fit, adjust, and test your hearing aids, showing you how to put them in and remove them properly.

Fitting Your Earmold

Once the earmold is ready, your provider will place it inside your ear to ensure it fits comfortably and securely. Next, your provider will adjust the tubing connecting the earmold to the hearing aid for optimal sound quality.

Hearing Aid Programing

Your provider will program the hearing aid to amplify the appropriate frequencies based on your test results. Your provider may or may not program your hearing aids to the full prescription during this first hearing aid fitting to allow for additional adjustment time.

The device's settings and volume will also be adjusted to ensure quality performance and comfort.

After programming, your provider will conduct a verification process to ensure that the device functions correctly and provides the appropriate amplification for your hearing loss.

This may involve conducting further tests, such as real-ear measurement.

Finally, your provider will give instructions on how to use and maintain your hearing aids and advice on how to adjust to wearing them.

Scheduling Follow-up Appointments

Your provider will work with you to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that your device continues working correctly and make any necessary adjustments.

Remember, this might take up to three visits.

What's Next

Your hearing aid fitting is a collaborative process between you and your provider. So, don't be afraid to ask questions or admit that you're struggling to adjust to your new hearing aids or share that they feel uncomfortable. The more transparent you are, the better informed your provider will be about making adjustments to help you start enjoying the true benefits of these life-changing devices.

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