Hearing Aid Evaluation and Fitting

The first step in the process is to match your lifestyle, listening needs, and hearing concerns with the right technology. Technology has advanced rapidly in this area and there are many different types of systems available.

What are my listening goals?

You will work together with your audiologist to determine your specific listening needs. You may be asked to provide specific situations where you want improved communication. Examples may include:

Listening to soft voices like women or children
Listening while at a noisy gathering
Hearing better on the telephone

Which hearing device is best for me?

Your audiologist will recommend hearing aid features based on your listening goals and your hearing test (audiogram). In some cases, you may be able to listen to specific hearing devices at the appointment. We work with more than six excellent hearing device manufacturers, each with a comprehensive product line. Hearing aids range in retail price from approximately $1,000-$4,000 each. In addition, there is a charge for fitting and follow-up. Our goal is to find a device with features you need and desire, in a case design you will enjoy wearing, at a price you can afford.

Our devices may have many desirable features:

Digital signal processing
Miniature case design for more invisible fittings
Open fittings, which allow more comfort and natural sound
Feedback cancellation
Directional microphones and noise reduction
Multiple memory devices for different listening situations
Automatic memory switching based on the listening environment
Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones, tablets and other devices
Smartphone apps that can be used to adjust the hearing aids
Aids that “talk to each other,” enabling a volume adjustment or program change in one aid to automatically change the other aid

How do you set the device for me?

We start with programming the device using your hearing loss thresholds and a prescriptive fitting technique based on decades of research. Then, you and your audiologist work together to fine tune the fitting to your listening preferences. Since no ear is the same, we then use state-of-the-art technology and a “Speechmap” to measure exactly how YOUR hearing aid amplifies actual speech in YOUR ear. This enables us to know that your hearing aid is providing enough volume to make soft speech audible, average speech comfortable and loud speech tolerable. We will also check the ceiling of the hearing aid to make sure that very loud sounds will not cause discomfort.

Now that I have the device at home, how do I use it?

During the hearing aid fitting, you are instructed in the operation, care, and maintenance of your hearing aids. You will have plenty of time to ask questions. During your 50-day adjustment period, we want you to wear the hearing aids at home, at work, and during social activities.

What if it doesn’t sound right when I get it home?

There are some sounds that will sound new to you and you will adjust to them over time. However, if programming adjustments are necessary, another visit is scheduled. At the end of the adjustment period, if you decide you want to try a different device, that will be arranged.

Warranty

All hearing aids purchased at Boys Town National Research Hospital come with a 4-year manufacturer's warranty. Hearing aid-related services are included at BTNRH for four years.