Selection | Fitting | Check
Our Audiology Department offers a comprehensive array of amplification and assistive listening devices, including hearing aids and implantable devices such as cochlear, Baha and Sophono. We begin by providing the diagnostic services necessary to identify hearing loss and to select the appropriate amplification for each patient’s needs. Once the evaluation is complete, our audiologists work with a wide variety of hearing aid manufacturers and guide the fitting, programming and ongoing care of hearing devices for adult and pediatric patients.
Selection
This appointment occurs either the same day or within six months after the audiometric evaluation or another hearing test has been completed. The purpose of this appointment is to explain hearing aid styles and technology to patients and to work in selecting the best type of hearing instrument that suits that patient’s particular needs.
Fitting
The hearing aid fitting is performed when the instruments ordered at the hearing aid selection appointment are ready to be fit to the patient. Each hearing aid is programmed specifically for that patient’s particular hearing loss, and patients also learn how to operate and maintain their type of hearing aid. Before the appointment ends, all important information regarding the hearing devices, including trial-period and warranty information, is reviewed and given to the patient.
Ongoing Care
Hearing aid checks, for patients whose hearing devices were dispensed at our facility or at other facilities, are an opportunity for the audiologist to make sure hearing aids are functioning well and fitting patients properly. While they are scheduled frequently with newly purchased hearing aids, as patients become familiar with the function of the hearing aids and enjoy the comfortable fit, longer periods of time can pass between checks.
Cleaning, changing replaceable components of the hearing aid and programming maintenance are all parts of the hearing aid check. These checks are necessary throughout the life of the hearing aid to ensure good fit and proper function. After annual audiometric evaluations, a change of the prescriptive information on which the hearing aids’ programming is based may change, requiring adjustments.