What is hearing aid programming

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Your hearing function is unique to you, so every hearing aid needs to be programmed differently. As there are various different types and severities of hearing loss, no two people ever require the same hearing aid programming.

To ensure you get the maximum benefit from your hearing aids, your audiologist will use a range of specialist tools to program the devices. By connecting your hearing aids to an external computer and simulating different sounds, he can adjust the device’s internal programming to deliver the best results.

Of course, today’s hearing aids rarely have just one program. As you’ll know, hearing loss can have a varying impact in different environments. Due to this, hearing aids feature a range of different programs. You may require extra amplification or focus when you’re in a busy environment, for example, so various programs are used to reflect this.

When programming your hearing aids, your audiologist will use specialist software to ensure that every program is perfectly suited to your individual needs. In addition, professional hearing aid programming ensures maximum comfort when you’re wearing hearing devices. Using a range of complex algorithms, he will employ real ear measurements, visible speech mapping (VSM), and real-ear probe microphones to deliver the best results.

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How complicated is programming hearing aids?

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Many people are tempted to adjust their hearing aids, but self-programming is not a good idea. In many cases, people inadvertently change the programming settings to something which is wildly unsuitable for their natural hearing function. As a result, their hearing devices don’t enhance their auditory experience at all and may even decrease your hearing function when you’re wearing them.

When programming hearing aids yourself, you also run the risk of causing physical damage to the device. As modern hearing aids are typically very small, they require special tools to make physical adjustments. Attempting to recreate this form of hearing aid programming at home can easily cause irreversible damage to the device.

Programming hearing aids requires extensive training and in-depth knowledge of the science behind hearing loss. As audiologists undertake years of specialist education and practical training, they’re well-equipped to program all types of hearing aids.

Although self-programming may seem like a quick and easy solution, it rarely is. In fact, many people who try programming hearing aids at home end up needing hearing aid repairs and extensive adjustments. Due to this, it’s always advisable to seek professional assistance if you think your hearing aids need to be reprogrammed.

If you want to buy new hearing aids and have them programmed or have your existing devices reprogrammed, your HCP can offer the services you require. To find your nearest hearing care professional, use our handy store locator now.

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Adjusting your hearing aids

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Hearing aid programming should always be carried out by an audiologist, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to adjust your hearing devices at all. In fact, today’s hearing aids are designed to offer a custom auditory experience and typically give you more control over your hearing devices than ever before.

When wearing hearing aids, for example, you’ll be able to switch between different programs as you move from one environment to another. You may find that your hearing device has different programs for one-to-one conversations, group conversation, excess background noise, and listening to music. If so, you can manually change the program as your surroundings vary. Some hearing aid models even recognize a change in your surroundings and automatically switch from one program to another for increased convenience.

In addition to this, you’ll be able to make manual adjustments to the volume and level of amplification at any given time. Whether you want to switch from one program to another or not, you can increase or decrease the volume of your hearing aid to enhance your auditory experience.

Similarly, you will be able to take advantage of additional features by modifying your hearing aid settings. If you choose a model with Bluetooth connectivity, for example, you may want your hearing devices to connect to your device when it’s nearby automatically. Or you may want to retain control and only have your hearing aids connect to a Bluetooth device when you instruct them to do so.