Hearing Aid Fittings | Littleton, CO

The journey to better hearing using hearing aids takes more than just buying a hearing aid. Enjoying the best hearing improvement possible is a process that entails customizing and adjusting hearing aids – all performed by an audiologist or board-certified hearing instrument specialist.

At Columbine Hearing Care, we see to it that our patients get a thorough and accurate hearing aid fitting, matching their specific hearing loss, hearing requirements, and lifestyle.

What happens during a hearing aid fitting?

During the fitting process, we will make sure that the hearing aids fit comfortably and securely in your ear. We will also program the devices to your specific hearing loss, adjusting settings such as amplification/volume, noise reduction, and/or directional microphones.

Below are the six main stages of a hearing aid fitting:

Assessment: We will conduct a thorough assessment of your hearing needs and lifestyle. We will perform various tests to determine the type and degree of hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Selection: Based on the results of the initial assessment, we will recommend hearing aid devices that match your hearing loss and lifestyle.
Programming and Fitting: We will program hearing aids according to your specific hearing loss. This step entails actual device insertion so we can accurately adjust the settings in real-time.
As part of our best practices, we will perform real-ear measurement and speech testing. During this step, your feedback and honest opinion are highly important. Don’t be shy to give your feedback about the loudness, fit, and comfort of your hearing aid.
Counseling and Follow-Up Care: Once your hearing aid is all set up, you’re almost good to go. Before leaving our clinic, we’ll teach you how to use and maintain your hearing aids at home. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled as part of our progress monitoring. You’ll also receive materials to educate you and your loved ones on how to get the most out of your investment.

Real Ear Measurement

Real ear measurement (REM) is a method that audiologists use to measure the sound levels in the ear canal while a hearing aid is also inside. REM allows audiologists to make necessary adjustments to the hearing aid, ensuring that it is giving the appropriate sound quality and amount of amplification for a patient’s specific hearing needs.

Real ear measurement is necessary because it provides audiologists with objective, accurate, and individualized data that can help fine-tune the hearing aid for a patient’s specific hearing requirements.

Without real ear measurements, it can be challenging to determine if the hearing aid is providing the correct level of amplification in all frequencies. Real ear measurement also allows us to check if the hearing aid is producing too much feedback or distortion.

Adjusting to hearing aids

Adjusting to new hearing aids is a gradual process. We always tell our patients to manage their expectations as using hearing aids does not guarantee an instantaneous change or improvement in hearing.

In fact, it may take some time for the brain to adapt to hearing sounds that it hasn’t heard in a while. In some cases, some patients might find that sounds are a bit loud or distorted, or that background noise is quite distracting. With proper and frequent usage, the brain will eventually learn to focus on important sounds and filter out unwanted noise.

Being open with family and friends about your hearing aids can help you adjust to your new device. They can support you during the adjustment period and make communication easier. Working with an audiologist will also help ensure that the settings of your hearing aids match your hearing requirements. This way, it will be easier for you to adjust to your hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Fitting FAQs

Are hearing aid fittings covered by insurance?

It depends on the insurance. Traditional Medicare plans do not typically cover hearing aids and/or hearing aid fittings. At Columbine Hearing Care, we are not in-network with insurance carriers, but are happy to provide you with all of the documentation needed to seek out-of-network reimbursement for your purchase. We also offer many payment options to make it easier for you to pay for your hearing loss treatment.

How long does it take for a hearing aid to be fitted?

Generally, the process of fitting takes around 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of hearing aid to be fitted and the complexity of hearing loss.

Hearing Aid Fitting at Littleton, CO

Professional hearing aid fitting is essential because it can greatly affect the effectiveness of the device and the overall listening experience.

With proper hearing aid fitting, the performance of the hearing aid is optimized; sounds are clearer and more natural, background noise is efficiently reduced, and speech understanding is maximized.

At Columbine Hearing Care, we have qualified audiologists and the equipment necessary for a successful hearing aid fitting.