If you have been told that you are suffering from hearing loss, you’re likely to be feeling a little alarmed and overwhelmed. These are completely natural reactions, and you should give yourself the time you need to come to terms with the situation.

When you are ready, you will likely want to consider exploring your options in regards to hearing aids. Hearing aids can be genuinely life-changing for those experiencing hearing loss. If your hearing provider recommends a hearing aid, then the best course of action is to attend a hearing aid fitting with a specialist – below, we’ll outline why this is the best choice for you.

Self-bought hearing aids will never work as well as professionally fitted options

When you begin to browse hearing aids, you will likely notice that it’s possible to buy a hearing aid without having to attend a fitting. This may seem like a simple enough process that saves you some time on attending an appointment, but the reality is that buying a hearing aid for yourself is likely to result in you owning a device that just doesn’t perform as you need it to.

When you buy a hearing aid without having the chance to try it, you really don’t know what you’re buying – you’re just going to have to hope that it’s suitable. Unfortunately, many people find that hearing aids they have bought without a fitting aren’t suitable, and they have to attend an appointment with a hearing health professional anyway. It’s actually far simpler to just go straight to a hearing instrument specialist and be sure of getting the right device first time.

A hearing aid fitting is a chance to find the right product for you

We touched on this above, but there’s no doubt that this is a point worth affirming. Hearing aids are not “one size fits all.” Most people have a strong preference for certain types of devices, certain levels of amplification, and have specific requirements to ensure that their hearing aid is suitable for their general lifestyle.

You will not have the opportunity to try out hearing aids if you buy them for yourself; you also won’t have the benefit of a hearing provider’s experience in guiding people towards the right device for their needs. If this is your first hearing aid, you’re going to need this advice to ensure you are matched with a device that is genuinely beneficial to you and how you like to live your life.

A hearing aid fitting is about more than the basics of the hearing aid

Your hearing aid fitting is not just about trying the hearing aid on; it’s also an instructive process. You will learn how to use your hearing aid, how to clean it, and what you can and can’t do while wearing it. If this is your first hearing aid, you need this kind of advice to ensure that you get the most from the device.

Furthermore, a hearing aid fitting is also a chance to discuss any questions you may have as well as developing a relationship with a reliable hearing healthcare provider that you can turn to if you have any questions or issues in the future.

As the above demonstrate, a hearing aid fitting is an essential choice for those who want to be able to get the most from their new hearing aid.