What Questions Should You Ask an Audiologist Before a Hearing Aid Fitting?

side angle of hearing loss patient during a hearing aid fitting appointment

A hearing aid fitting is necessary prior to getting new hearing aids. Your audiologist will make sure your hearing aids feel natural to wear and produce the highest quality sound for you. If you have never had hearing aids fitted before, you probably have a few questions about the hearing aid fitting process and the hearing aids themselves. 

How Do I Control My Hearing Aids?

To get the most out of your hearing aids, you will want to experiment with the many settings and functions they are equipped with. You should be able to exercise some control over the loudness of your hearing aids, at the absolute least. Ask your audiologist about adjusting the volume level, choosing between different programs and modifying the settings.

It is important to remember to enquire about the capability of your hearing aids to modify their settings automatically according to the surrounding environment. You might have a telecoil that you can activate to tune into a closed-loop audio system, or you might have Bluetooth or some other type of wireless technology. 

What Kind of Maintenance do My Hearing Aids Require?

If you take care of your hearing aids, they will serve you for a longer period of time, continue to function effectively and will not require any repairs. Your audiologist should demonstrate the proper maintenance procedures for your hearing aids for you to follow.

One of the things you might have to do is clean your hearing aids to prevent earwax and other particles from clogging them up and preventing them from functioning properly. Your audiologist may recommend a cleaning kit that is of use to you. There are also a few things that you can do in order to take care of your hearing aids, such as ensuring that they are kept dry at all times.

How Do I Change My Hearing Aid Battery?

Changing the batteries in your hearing aids will be one of the things that you will need to perform regularly. Many rechargeable batteries have varying lifespans; for example, some can last for months, while others only last for weeks. To get started, check that you are aware of the type of hearing aid battery that is required for your device. You should talk to your audiologist about getting instructions on how to change the batteries and how to determine whether or not they need to be replaced.

What Happens If There Is an Issue?

Ask your audiologist what you should do before you leave the office if you experience any issues with your hearing aids in the event that they malfunction. You should schedule a checkup appointment as soon as possible so that you can deal with any potential problems in the coming weeks. Adjustments can be made by your audiologist if you find that your hearing aids do not fit properly in your ear or if you believe that they do not provide the correct sound. If you still have questions after that, you can always go back.