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Gail Linn, MA, CCC-A
Components of Successful Hearing Aid Evaluations and Fittings
Potomac Audiology

Components of Successful Hearing Aid Evaluations and Fittings

Like most medical procedures, a proper protocol needs to be followed in order to achieve success. This is true for the fitting and use of hearing aids as well. In my 23 years of dispensing hearing aids, I have found the following components to be important
Prior to Ordering a Hearing Aid
1. Complete Medical History including noise exposure.
2. Complete Audiological Exam that includes middle ear assessment, a pure tone hearing test and speech testing.
3. Needs Assessment identifies communication problems that the patient hopes to solve.
4. Hearing Aid Evaluation identifies different hearing aid styles, technologies and features that are appropriate for the patient and hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Fitting and Follow-up Procedures
1. Hearing Aid Fitting should include “Real Ear Measures,” which allows the audiologist to measure the performance of the hearing aid in the ear. A small tube is inserted into the ear at the time of programming, which ensures that the hearing aid is delivering the proper amount of amplification across the frequencies.
2. Proper Counseling needs to be done in order for the patient to understand how to handle his or her new hearing aid.
3. Follow up Appointments and Counseling should be included in the fitting process to ensure that the patient knows how to handle his or her hearing aid. Adjustments to the hearing aid(s) are made during these visits.
4. Follow-up Needs Assessment will determine if the communication problems that the patient hoped to solve were in fact solved. This should be done at the end of the “trial period” to help determine if the patient should keep the hearing aid(s) or try something different.
5. Continued Maintenance should be scheduled at appropriate intervals. I set up appointments every 3 months with an annual hearing test and “Real Ear Measures” to ensure that the hearing aid(s) are always providing the proper amplification.
This is a basic outline of the procedures that I use in my Audiology Practice. However, each individual is different and these procedures are modified from time to time. Patient centered Counseling works best!

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