Take your hearing aid programming seriously. You wouldn’t wear generic lenses in your frames, right? Well, you shouldn’t use a hearing aid that hasn’t been programmed to your hearing loss needs. This is so your hearing device works to the best of its ability. The process of hearing aid programming is performed by a certified audiologist. There are many different factors that are involved, which we will go into detail here. Just like no two people are the same, not all degrees of hearing losses are the same. Some people react differently to certain factors than others.
Processing Time
Older hearing devices were very easy to operate and adjust, usually with just a screwdriver and some time, but today, doctors can personalize hundreds of elements within digital hearing aids. Thus, programming incorporates many subjective preferences thanks to a thorough hearing evaluation. This is due to the fact that the brain can’t immediately adjust to the new sounds emitted by the device, allowing you to evaluate different listening situation to best match your needs. Just as you wouldn’t just buy a sedan without test driving it first, the same goes with hearing aids. But it’s not a one-time process, though. You may return to the office with suggestions on what you would like to incorporate. Adjustments in digital hearing aids occur on an ongoing basis as the user troubleshoots preferences in the real world.
Programming Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids can reduce noise and feedback using a unique surround sound system to simulate real noise from the outside environment and make adjustments based on those results in real time. This surround sound system way of thinking is valuable because it is able to simulate crowd noises and help the doctor adjust noise reduction factors. Visible speech mapping (VSM) is a high-tech alternative to traditional measurements that shows how various sounds of speech hit the eardrum. Your doctor should have all the correct hardware, software and cables to connect to the hearing aid so the programming process can take place in the office. These unparalleled troubleshooting capabilities allow the hearing aid to be customized to the individual. Always visit with a professional for this task for the most success, even though some people do it themselves. This is not advised due to the expense involved and the lowered quality of results. Real ear measurements, visual mapping and environmental simulations must all be incorporated. Real-ear probe microphones are able to detect sounds that are hitting the eardrum, leading to advancements in the effective way the doctor can customize the device.
What Factors can be Adjusted?
You may be amazed to learn that hundreds more components come into play during hearing aid programming. Backed by an innovative process, doctors can change a setting that’s just too sensitive to noise so the user gets the most comfort, or they can filter out background noise that makes it so difficult to hear clearly in group situations. Audiologists can also adjust elements like volume, maximum output of power, microphone usage, intensity levels, noise reduction, frequency and compression ratios.