How Long Does a Typical Hearing Aid Fitting Take

Getting your hearing aid fitted can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. It depends very much on the type of hearing aid you choose, your prescription and your familiarity with hearing aids. An audiologist will delve more into exactly what a hearing aid fitting involves and the things that can influence it.

What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting?

During a hearing aid fitting, you will usually start by choosing your hearing aid. An audiologist will show you the different types of hearing aids that are available and will usually recommend the styles that are best suited for your hearing needs. Your hearing aid will then be tuned to meet your needs. Based on your hearing test and the severity of your loss you will be assigned a hearing aid, which will affect which frequencies need to be amplified to help you hear more clearly. How long this takes may depend on the complexity of your hearing loss.

You will then get to try the hearing aid out. This includes wearing it to make sure that it is comfortable and testing out the sound quality. An audiologist will guide you through how to use your hearing aid and how to maintain it. This could include how to clean it, how to replace the batteries and where to store the batteries. Different hearing aids will have different settings and maintenance requirements.

Can I Get a Hearing Test and Hearing Aid Fitted in the Same Session?

Some people undergo a hearing test and get a hearing aid fitted in the same session. However, this will usually mean that the appointment takes a bit longer to account for the time that the hearing test lasts. Ideally, you should free up at least two hours if you want to get a hearing aid test and hearing aid fitting all in one.

How Long Will It Take to Adjust to My Hearing Aid?

It can take a while for people to get used to wearing a hearing aid. You may not instantly be able to tell if it is comfortable or not, or if it is tuned correctly. Take your time to get used to wearing it. This can take about six weeks for many people. Of course, if your hearing aid really doesn’t feel right, tell your audiologist – you may require a new hearing aid, or your hearing aid may need to be readjusted.

Do You Need a Custom Hearing Aid?

Custom hearing aids are molded to fit the shape of the ear for maximum comfort. This requires a cast of your ear to be taken. The cast is then sent off to a factory where your hearing aid is manufactured.

If you are getting a custom hearing aid, your hearing aid fitting appointment will have to be spread out over two sessions: one to choose your hearing aid and take the cast, and one to try out the hearing aid and learn how to use and maintain it. Manufacture of a custom hearing aid usually takes a few weeks. Your audiologist will be able to provide a more accurate date as to when you can expect your hearing aid to be ready.