Article by Hearing Partners, contributed byย Sadrina Shah, Senior Clinical Audiologist at Hearing Partners
Getting hearing aids is an important step towards better hearing, but choosing the right devices is only part of the journey. For them to work well in everyday life, they need to be carefully adjusted to your hearing needs and fitted comfortably in your ears.
During a hearing aid fitting, your hearing care professional uses your hearing test results to programme and fine-tune the devices for you. In this article, youโll learn how the hearing aid fitting process works in Singapore and what to expect from follow-up care.
What Is a Hearing Aid Fitting?
At a fitting appointment, your hearing care professional programmes the devices using your audiogram, which shows the type and degree of hearing loss you have. They will also check the physical fit to make sure each hearing aid sits securely without causing discomfort.
Hearing aids should not rely on the manufacturerโs default settings alone, as each personโs hearing profile and ear canal are different. As part of the fitting, the sound delivered inside your ear is measured to check that it matches the prescribed targets.
What Happens at a Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment in Singapore?
At Hearing Partners, the hearing aid fitting process usually begins with a hearing assessment. The hearing aid fitting and trial take place after this assessment, with a trial of up to one week offered where appropriate. Follow-up care is subsequently arranged after you begin wearing the selected device.
Step 1: Take an initial hearing test
During your first appointment, your hearing care professional will ask about the situations where you find it difficult to hear. A hearing test then measures the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches and may include checks for speech understanding or middle-ear function.
The results are recorded on an audiogram. This allows your hearing care professional to explain the findings and determine whether hearing aids may help.
Remove excess earwax (where necessary)
Before your hearing aid fitting, your hearing care professional will check your ear canals to make sure they are clear. If a buildup of earwax is blocking the canal, it may be removed as part of the fitting process, as excess earwax can affect your hearing test results and how securely your hearing aid fits.
Do note that Hearing Partners only provides earwax removal at our Farrer Park clinic when necessary as part of a hearing aid fitting and does not offer it as a standalone service.
Step 2: Discuss your hearing aid needs and options
Based on your audiogram, your hearing care professional will recommend devices that provide the level of support you need. Behind-the-ear (BTE) models can offer greater amplification and are often easier to handle, although they are more visible. In-the-ear (ITE) devices are custom-made and more discreet, but smaller styles can be harder to manage and may not suit those with severe to profound hearing loss.
Your hearing care professional will also talk you through the following factors to help you make an informed decision about which hearing aid is right for you.
- Technology and features: Advanced AI sound processing can reduce listening effort or make speech easier to follow in difficult environments, while rechargeability can make your journey towards better hearing more convenient.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids can stream calls or other audio from your phone and compatible devices.
- Ease of handling: Smaller hearing aids may be harder to insert or operate if you have difficulty seeing or handling small controls. A larger style or app-based controls may be more practical.
- Visibility: ITE devices are generally more discreet, although the suitable styles will depend on your hearing loss and physical fit.
- Budget: More advanced technology can cost more, making it important to prioritise the features that best support your usual listening needs.
Step 3: Undergo a hearing aid fitting
Based on your needs and considerations, your hearing care professional will recommend a hearing aid that best suits your hearing needs and lifestyle. Once youโve chosen a device, your hearing care professional will check how it sits in your ear.ย
The hearing aid should feel secure without causing pain, and the dome or earmould may be changed if the fit is uncomfortable. The devices are then programmed according to your audiogram to provide the prescribed amplification while reducing unwanted noise or feedback.
Real-ear measurement (REM) is used to verify how much sound the hearing aid delivers inside your ear. A thin probe tube is placed beside the device while a calibrated signal plays, and the results are compared with prescribed targets before further adjustments are made.
Step 4: Experience a hearing aid trial
You can try the recommended hearing aid for up to one week, allowing you to experience how it sounds and feels in your everyday listening environments before deciding if itโs right for you.
Pay attention to how the hearing aid feels and how speech sounds in certain situations, such as outdoors, crowded places, or social gatherings with multiple conversations happening at the same time. Share these observations at the next fitting appointment so your hearing care professional can assess whether the model suits you and adjust the settings if necessary.
Once you have chosen the device, you will practise using the hearing aids and learn how to care for them, including how to clean them and what to do if the sound changes or a device stops working. Regular hearing aid maintenance can identify worn parts or blocked components before they affect everyday use.
Step 5: Attend a follow-up appointment and review
It can take time to get used to hearing aids, especially if this is your first pair. A follow-up appointment is generally scheduled one to three months after you start wearing them.
During the review, explain what aspect of your hearing has improved and where you still face difficulty. Your hearing care professional can fine-tune the settings based on your experience. They may also check the physical fit or provide more guidance on handling the devices. If the hearing aids cause pain or stop working as expected, contact us before the scheduled review.
Step 6: Long-term aftercare and service support
After the initial follow-up, regular reviews help keep your hearing aids working well as your needs change. At Hearing Partners, these appointments are generally arranged every six months or annually, depending on the support you require.
During a review, our hearing care professionals may fine-tune the settings or update the software. If your hearing aid is compatible, some adjustments can be made through our remote care service.
Benefits of a Hearing Aid Fitting
A professional hearing aid fitting goes beyond simply programming your devices. It considers your hearing test results, how the hearing aids fit and how they perform in your ears, so they can be adjusted to suit your needs as closely as possible. Benefits include:
- Sound tailored to your hearing: Your hearing aids are programmed based on your audiogram, providing more support at the frequencies where you need it instead of simply making everything louder.
- A comfortable and secure fit: If your hearing aid feels loose or uncomfortable, the dome or earmould can be adjusted or changed. A secure fit can also help reduce feedback or whistling.
- Settings checked in your ears: REM measures the sound your hearing aids deliver while youโre wearing them. Your hearing care professional can compare the results against recommended targets and fine-tune the settings where needed.
- Ongoing support as you adjust: Getting used to hearing aids can take time. During follow-up appointments, you can share how they sound and feel in everyday situations so your hearing care professional can make further adjustments where needed.
Who Should Book a Hearing Aid Fitting?
A fitting is not only for people getting hearing aids for the first time. Consider booking an appointment if you:
- Are experiencing signs of hearing loss
- Have completed a hearing test and were advised that hearing aids may help
- Are replacing or upgrading an existing device
- Have an existing device that no longer feels comfortable or performs as expected
Book a Hearing Aid Fitting in Singapore
At Hearing Partners, our hearing care professionals can recommend and fit a device based on your hearing test results. Follow-up care is also available as you adjust to wearing it. Book an appointment to discuss your hearing needs with our team.
FAQs About Hearing Aid Fitting in Singapore
Why is a professional hearing aid fitting important?
With an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid, you generally choose, set up and adjust the device yourself. A professionally fitted hearing aid, on the other hand, is programmed by trained personnel based on your hearing test results and hearing needs. REM may also be used to check how much sound the hearing aid delivers in your ear and fine-tune the settings to your needs.
Professional fitting also comes with ongoing support. If your hearing aids do not sound or feel right, you can return for further adjustments as you get used to wearing them. This provides a more personalised experience, with professional guidance available throughout your hearing care journey.
How long does hearing aid fitting take?
A hearing aid fitting appointment usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes. The exact duration depends on the device and whether you need more time to practise using it. Your hearing test, trial and follow-up care take place separately, so the full process will involve more than one appointment.
Where can I get a hearing aid fitting done in Singapore?
Hearing Partners offers hearing aid fitting at all our hearing clinics in Singapore. We will usually begin with a hearing test so our hearing care professional can recommend a suitable device and plan the fitting. Book an appointment at your preferred location today.
How much does hearing aid fitting cost in Singapore?
At Hearing Partners, the fitting is part of the process of getting a hearing aid. There is no separate charge, and you will only need to pay for the cost of the device. Check out our hearing aid price guide here.
Do you use Real Ear Measurement (REM) during the hearing aid fitting process?
Yes. We use real-ear measurement to check whether the hearing aids are delivering the prescribed amplification inside your ear canal. If the measurements do not match the targets, the settings are adjusted before you leave.
Can I get fitted with hearing aids without a professional consultation?
No, hearing aids are classified as regulated medical devices in Singapore and must, therefore, be registered with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Youโll need to take a hearing test and consult a hearing care professional before having your hearing aid fitted.
If you would like to get hearing aids, book an appointment to speak with one of our hearing care professionals.
What should I do if my hearing aids arenโt fitting properly?
If a hearing aid causes pain or soreness, remove it rather than forcing it into place. Reinsert it according to the instructions you were given, but do not alter any parts yourself. If the discomfort continues, book a follow-up appointment so our hearing care professional can check on the fit and make adjustments where necessary.
Sadrina is a Senior Clinical Audiologist at Hearing Partners. She is a certified Dangerous Decibels Educator and a member of the Society of Audiology Professionals Singapore. Sadrina is experienced in conducting hearing tests for both adults and children, and addressing hearing loss, tinnitus and sound tolerance disorders.