It is normal to feel a little nervous if you are going to be wearing hearing aids for the first time. After all, this can take a little adjusting to despite the many benefits they can bring when it comes to improving your hearing health and overall well-being.

Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to voice your concerns with your audiologist so that you can feel a little more confident when it comes to wearing your hearing aids moving forward. The best time to ask these questions is during your hearing aid fitting, which is the final step of the process.

Why Did You Decide Upon This Style of Hearing Aid?

During your initial consultation with an audiologist, they’ll have conducted a range of screenings that allow them to decide upon the best style of hearing aid for you. While this is ultimately your own decision, asking them why they decided upon a specific style can prove to be useful. For example, if you were on the lookout for more discreet hearing aids option, they may have pointed you toward in-the ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, as opposed to behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids.

How Do My Hearing Aids Work?

While you may have a basic understanding of how hearing aids work by amplifying sounds in order to improve your hearing, your audiologist will be able to provide you with a more thorough explanation of how your choice of hearing aids works.

How Often Should I Wear My Hearing Aids?

For the most part, it’s likely that you’ll wear your hearing aids the majority of the time, aside from when you are showering or sleeping. However, depending on the severity of hearing loss you are experiencing, they may suggest that you only wear them on specific occasions, like when you’re spending time in noisy or crowded environments. First-time hearing aid wearers may also prefer to only wear their hearing aids for a few hours each day, making it easier to adjust to wearing these devices.

How Do I Adjust the Settings of My Hearing Aids?

While hearing aids are built with accessibility in mind, meaning they are relatively easy to use, knowing how to properly adjust the settings ahead of time can be crucial. After all, small adjustments, depending on the environment you are in, ensure that they are working as effectively as possible and that your hearing is preferred. If you are not sure about how to adjust your hearing aids, your audiologist can demonstrate these adjustments making sure you know how to make these on your own.

How Do I Care for My Hearing Aids?

Proper hearing aid maintenance and care ensure that you can wear your devices for as long as possible and reduce the number of challenges you may face during this time. While this advice will be outlined in your device’s manual, your audiologist will also be able to provide you with practical tips and advice during this time.

If you want to learn more about hearing aid fittings, schedule an appointment with an audiologist.