Real-Ear Measurement
Hearing aids are not just earbuds or mini-speakers. Getting a proper fitting is akin to getting a prescription for eyeglasses. Your ear is unique. What will fit and be comfortable in your ear canal all day will be different from other people. In addition, hearing aids are programmed to the exact results of your hearing test so they complement your ear’s current hearing ability.
Some types of hearing loss require specific kinds of hearing aids and may require making a mold of your ear so that it sits correctly in the canal. Even if custom molds are not necessary, getting a snug fit will help reduce feedback and issues with comfort.
Fine-Tuning Your Hearing Aid
Even when customizing the settings to your hearing profile there will be a period of adjustment with your new hearing aids. Your brain will need some time to relearn how to process sounds it hasn’t heard in a while. The worse the hearing loss, the longer this process typically takes.
The first few weeks you should practice using your hearing aids in different environments and by listening to audio recordings of books while you read the words. This will help your brain re-acquaint itself with processing sounds into words.
During this adjustment period also make note of any environments or circumstances where the hearing aid didn’t work as expected or was not comfortable. We’ll be able to help you tweak your hearing aids until they give you the sound quality and performance you’re expecting.