Cyber Monday Discount 20%
Cyber Monday Discount 20%
Overcoming and living with hearing loss takes more than just getting a powerful hearing aid. Proper hearing aid fitting, device programming, and clinician support also play their own respective roles towards a successful hearing journey.
Hearing aid fittings are not just about selecting the correct device for your hearing needs. Aside from choosing the right device, proper fitting and programming is also important to ensure that you are getting the accurate amount of amplification to maximize hearing aid benefit. Speaking of accuracy, real ear measurement plays an important role in hearing aid fitting. Real ear measurement refers to the process of measuring the sound pressure level in a patient’s ear canal to allow audiologists to make more highly accurate adjustments on audibility of sound in the ear. Inclusion of real ear measurements in hearing aid fitting plays a big part in the effectiveness of hearing aid treatment. It’s worth noting that not all audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals practice real ear measurement. Audiologists at Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center do practice real ear measurement as part of the hearing aid fitting process.
Before fitting the hearing aids, we will conduct a thorough hearing test to determine the softest sound you can hear at different pitches and the loudest sound that you can accommodate. Based on the hearing test results, we will know how much gain and compression the hearing device needs to provide in order to amplify soft sounds and compress uncomfortable, loud sounds. Unnecessary noise or feedback picked up by the hearing aids (whistling, squealing, etc.) will also be adjusted as necessary.
Various types of hearing aids, levels of technology, budget, and patient’s lifestyle will all be discussed at your hearing aid evaluation. Different listening environments and expectations for hearing aid use will also be discussed.
Audiologists at Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center will go through different features available in hearing aids and we will make recommendations based on hearing tests and evaluation of your communication needs.
During the hearing aid fitting, real ear verification will be performed to ensure that the hearing aids you are using provide the correct amount of amplification in every range and frequency. By using real ear measures, audiologists can determine how loud sounds are in the ear canal.
Real ear measurements are performed by inserting a thin tube into the ear canal. The tube is connected to a microphone that will measure the volume of sound near the eardrum while there is no hearing device inside. After that, we will insert the hearing aid in the ear while ensuring that the probe tube microphone, already in the ear canal, is not moved. Once the hearing aid is turned on, we will then measure how loud the sound is based on the output of the hearing aid inside the ear.
During this stage of hearing aid fitting, playing different volumes of sound – from soft to very loud- is critical in order for us to ensure that even the softest sounds are heard and incredibly loud sounds are compressed to a comfortable, audible level.
Real ear measurement plays an important role in a successful hearing aid fitting. Without proper verification and real ear measurement, there’s no way to verify if the hearing aids are programmed properly or if the wearer is enjoying the maximum benefits of the device.
By using real ear measures, audiologists can guarantee that the patient is getting the appropriate amount of amplification in accordance with his or her hearing needs. Audiologists at Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center are well-trained and highly-experienced when it comes to hearing aid fitting using real ear measurements.
Once the hearing aids are programmed, we will discuss proper care and maintenance of hearing aids. Inserting the hearing aids and changing/charging the batteries will also be demonstrated in the clinic.
Overcoming and living with hearing loss takes more than just getting a powerful hearing aid. Proper hearing aid fitting, device programming, and clinician support also play their own respective roles towards a successful hearing journey.
Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center works with some of the best names in the business, ensuring you receive only the best in audiology care, like: Starkey, Oticon, Phonak, Signia/Siemens, ReSound, Unitron, and Widex. Our clinic uses equipment with cutting-edge technology and our audiologists practice real ear measurement to ensure that you are getting the best hearing healthcare in Longmont, Colorado.
