Hearing Aid Programming

Hearing aid programming is a procedure that involves adjusting the settings of a hearing aid to match an individual's unique hearing loss profile. Contrary to popular belief, hearing aids are not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. They require meticulous customization to achieve optimal performance and comfort. Programming ensures that your hearing aids are not just amplifying sound, but doing so in a way tailored specifically to your ears.

Why Hearing Aid Programming is Essential

Hearing aids are designed to improve your hearing ability, but their effectiveness heavily relies on accurate programming. The sound environment we encounter daily is complex, with different sounds at various pitches and volumes. Hearing aids need to be finely tuned to amplify these sounds correctly based on your hearing loss. Proper programming ensures that your hearing aids can reduce unwanted noise and enhance the sounds you want to hear, making conversations and other activities easier.

The Role of Audiologists in Programming

Our audiologists at Professional Hearing Services are highly trained and experienced in fitting various brands and styles of hearing aids. They consider several factors beyond your hearing test results, such as hearing loss configuration, severity, cause of hearing loss, ear canal shape and size, cognition, dexterity, and personal preferences. All these factors significantly impact the effectiveness of a hearing aid fitting if not refined appropriately.

Real Ear Measurement (REM)

Real Ear Measurement (REM) is a critical tool we use for hearing aid programming. It allows us to gather essential data on how sound behaves in your ear canal, enabling us to modify your sound prescription to your ears. REM involves placing a probe microphone in your ear canal alongside your hearing aid, allowing us to measure the amount of amplification provided by the hearing aid across a wide range of frequencies.

Importance of REM in Programming

REM ensures that the hearing aid is correctly amplifying all the frequencies for your unique hearing prescription. It's key to ensuring that when you use your hearing aid, you get the results you need to improve your hearing capabilities. REM verification is essential as it helps to guarantee a precise match between your hearing loss prescription and the amplification provided by your hearing aid.

Process of REM

1. Calibration: Your audiologist will calibrate the machine used for the measurement process before you enter.
2. Probe Insertion: An audiologist will place a probe microphone in your ear, about a quarter of an inch from your eardrum. This will allow them to take an accurate measurement.
3. Hearing Aid Fitting: Your audiologist will fit your hearing aids so you have both the probe and your new hearing aid in simultaneously. This allows them to measure how well your hearing aids work for you at their current programming.
4. Listening and Adjustments: Now, all you have to do is listen while your audiologist makes some adjustments. They'll use the machine to confirm the amplification in your hearing or adjust your hearing aid.
5. Feedback: Finally, you provide feedback. The machine is beneficial for getting a reading, but if the sounds for you are too loud or uncomfortable, then now is the time to let your audiologist know so they can make any adjustments.

Hearing Aid Programming at Professional Hearing Services

At Professional Hearing Services, we're proud to provide comprehensive hearing aid programming services. We will program your hearing aids even if they were purchased elsewhere—a service not all practices offer. We believe in the importance of Real Ear Measurement in the hearing aid fitting process and incorporate it as a standard part of our service.

Follow-up Adjustments

Regular follow-ups are a crucial part of ensuring your hearing aids continue to serve you best. At Professional Hearing Services, we recommend follow-up appointments every six months to a year for hearing tests and hearing aid adjustments. When small changes in hearing are detected, your hearing aids will be fine-tuned to accommodate this change.

Hearing Aid Programming in Denver

Hearing aid programming plays a significant role in enhancing your hearing experience. By utilizing advanced techniques like Real Ear Measurement, we ensure that your hearing aids are not just amplifying sound—they're doing so in a way that's tailored specifically to your ears. We're committed to delivering personalized, high-quality hearing care to our clients, both at our clinic and through our mobile (in-home) hearing services. You deserve to experience life fully, and we're here to help you do so—one sound at a time.