Fitting a Hearing Aid

Once you and your hearing aid professional have decided which hearing aid is best for you, the fitting process can begin. Your hearing aid will be custom-made for you, using your audiogram as a guide. Your hearing aid should be ready for you about two weeks after your hearing aid consultation. Before you order your hearing aid, however, be sure you understand the features and cost of the aid you’re buying; the trial period, instructions, warranty, and service provided; and the return policy.

Making the Impression of Your Ear

Your hearing aid must be fitted to your ear if it is to work properly. Without a proper fit, you may have feedback problems and irritation in the ear canal. An impression of your ear canal will be made to provide the exact shape for the hearing aid. This process is painless. The audiologist or hearing aid specialist will probably use a silicone material that firms up in a few minutes and is easily removed. The impression mold is then sent to the manufacturer who will make your hearing aid.

Checking the Fit

When your hearing aid is ready, you will be called in for the fitting session. The audiologist or hearing aid specialist will check to make certain the fit is comfortable and that the aid is working properly. Some additional tests will be done to check the performance of the aid and the improvement in your ability to hear speech sounds. After the hearing aid specialist takes care of any fine-tuning needed, you’ll be ready to start wearing and caring for your hearing aid.