What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting?
Before a hearing aid fitting is scheduled, we’ll do a thorough hearing test. Using those results, our doctoral-level audiologists, Kirsten Atwood, Au.D., CCC-A, Brenda Lasky, Au.D., and Norma Rivera Guttman, Au.D., determine the right amplification levels and how your hearing aids should handle loud sounds before your fitting even begins.
Why Professional Fitting Matters
A hearing aid is only as good as its fit. Generic, pre-programmed settings can’t account for the specific shape of your ear canal or the exact pattern of your hearing loss, and that mismatch is often the difference between hearing aids that sit in a drawer and ones people actually wear every day. Our audiologists will custom-program every device to your individual hearing test results, then verify that fit using real-ear measurement, so you’re not guessing whether your hearing aids are actually working the way they should.
Here’s What to Expect at Your Hearing Aid Fitting
A typical fitting appointment takes 45 minutes to two hours. During your visit, we’ll:
Customize the Fit
Customize the fit of your earpiece, checking custom molds if you have them.
Program Your Hearing Aids
Program your hearing aids to match your specific hearing test results.
Test Your Hearing Aids
Test your hearing aids to confirm they’re working properly.
Care Instructions
Walk you through care instructions, including insertion, removal, and battery changes.
Advanced Features
Cover advanced features, like Bluetooth streaming, if your devices support them.
Real Ear Measurement
One of the most important parts of your fitting is real ear measurement. We insert a small device into your ear canal, connected to an external microphone, to measure the actual sound volume reaching your eardrum. This lets us confirm your hearing aids are amplifying sound the way your specific hearing loss requires, rather than relying on generic manufacturer settings.
Real ear measurement is recommended by both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology, and it’s a standard part of every fitting we do.
What If Something Doesn’t Feel Right?
You’ll only wear your new hearing aids if they’re comfortable and working well for you, so be honest with us if something feels off. It’s common to come back for one or two follow-up adjustments in the first few weeks as you get used to your new hearing aids and as we fine-tune the settings based on your real-world experience. This is a normal part of the process, not a sign that anything went wrong.
Thinking About Getting Hearing Aids?
Call us at (772) 248-4172 to schedule your hearing aid fitting. Our doctoral-level audiologists are here to help you find the right fit.