How are Hearing Aids Programmed?

Whether you are at home or in the workplace, good communication and listening skills are always central to your lifestyle. Hearing loss is a pretty common issue that affects millions of people all over the world. In the United States alone, almost 50% of seniors beyond the age of 75 experience hearing impairment. Many children and young adults also experience auditory disorders.

If you are experiencing hearing difficulties – don’t worry. Many people in your situation find hearing aids a successful solution. Hearing aids are small devices that are designed to help people facing hearing loss challenges to hear better, by amplifying sound signals. Sound good? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about hearing aids and how they can help you. 

Why are hearing aids programmed?

Maybe it's time you stopped viewing hearing devices as simple sound amplifiers, because the fact is that hearing aids are a lot more sophisticated than you may think. They often come with a myriad of digital features and capabilities that can be tailored to suit every unique user’s needs. For example, two people may share hearing problems of the same level, but they will still require their devices to be customized for them individually – for better hearing results.

Keeping this in mind, hearing instrument specialists (HIS) strive to program hearing aids to suit the different needs of their clients. However, they don't do this alone. They work closely with their patients in order to program their hearing aids for them as precisely as possible.

How hearing aids are programmed

A hearing instrument specialist may employ a range of advanced computer algorithms to program a hearing aid for you. Let’s explore these different techniques.

Surround sound

The surround sound technique allows hearing instrument experts to mimic the external environment right in the comfort of their offices. They do this by factoring in the effects of environmental noises such as noise from passing vehicles, crowds and everyday objects. Surround sound systems comprise a network of speakers that imitate outdoor noises. When hearing instrument technicians turn on these systems, they can fine tune your hearing aid settings based on the real time feedback they get.

Real-ear probe microphones

With the aid of probe microphones, the HIS can determine the sound waves that make it to your eardrum when you are wearing your hearing device. Knowledge of this information helps them program your hearing aids more effectively.

Visible Speech Mapping (VSM)

A hearing instrument expert can also find out how much amplification is needed for you to hear well by using VSMs to make adjustments to your auditory device. 

These hi-tech programming techniques can be very effective in helping people living with impaired listening ability regain their auditory functions. But what if they don’t get it right first time? The good news is that your hearing aids can be reprogrammed. That means if they don't work exactly how they should after you've left the specialist's office, you can always return for further troubleshooting.

At the Center for Better Hearing office in Cerrito Plaza, California, experienced hearing aid specialists are ready to care for your ears until you are fully satisfied with the results. Try our hearing loss solutions for up to two months, and you’re guaranteed to see favorable results.

Can you program your hearing aid by yourself?

Whether you are familiar with the technology behind the styles of hearing aids such as in the canal (ITC), behind the ear (BTE) and in the ear (ITE) – or not, self-programming your device can be a bad decision and is best left to the experts. 

It takes years of training and experience for a health professional to become certified as a hearing instrument specialist, and involves the use of complex software and hardware to program auditory devices. Taking that into account, unless you have a firm background in the hearing aid business, it's always advisable to seek help from specialists who are well-trained to do the job. 

Of course, you could go against this advice and try to program your device by yourself, but the odds will always be against your success. Statistics show that many do-it-yourself programming attempts are not precise, and in worst-case scenarios, you can seriously damage your hearing aid.

If you think your sense of hearing is deteriorating, rechargeable hearing aids may well be the best possible solution. Are you a California resident looking for the best hearing care center to solve your hearing loss problems amicably? Dial 510-768-7091 to talk to specialists at My Better Hearing and learn more – it could change your life for the better.