How Continuing Research Impacts Hearing Aid Fittings

Since the first official hearing aids hit the market in 1898, research has been ongoing to improve the functions of hearing aids as well as their fitting services. It seems that more research is being done to improve the experience for those that require hearing aids and fittings. A hearing aid fitting might soon be more seamless, with little face-to-face interaction.

Here is more about how continuing research impacts hearing aid fittings.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Services

Before, it was only possible to attain hearing aids through a face-to-face appointment with an audiologist. When an individual noticed issues with their hearing, they would book in with an expert to assess hearing capabilities and after that, seek hearing aids to improve hearing. Now, it appears that research is looking into offering over-the-counter services. Instead of an individual needing to attend an appointment for an assessment before collecting their hearing aids, people can attain hearing aids from a counter.

This service would only be for those with self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Severe hearing loss requires more specialized devices. Hence, if you are someone that experiences hearing loss and hopes for a more efficient and fast service when collecting hearing aids, you might soon be able to do so.

More Precise Hearing

While the traditional method of audiologist appointments to attain hearing aids still stands, it seems that more research is underway to help those with hearing loss achieve more precise hearing. Instead of handing out similar devices to those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, devices will become more specialized and unique depending on the individual.

For instance, audiologist appointments will proceed to use a four-step strategy whereby the individual will be assessed for how they hear in various settings. After that, the audiologist can identify exactly what the individual requires to hear better in various environments. They can provide specialist devices or hand out devices with more functions to allow the wearer to switch between various settings depending on their needs.

Less Visible Devices

Further research and tests are looking to make hearing aids that are less visible. There is still an unnecessary stigma surrounding the appearance of hearing aids. Hopefully, new devices will be smaller and more discreet, which will encourage more people to wear them. Although some parts of the device might still be visible, they will be much more aesthetic and hidden. This should encourage everyone that deals with hearing loss to wear them and not worry about their appearance.

There are already small inner ear devices that help those with hearing loss. However, they are still partly visible. The future could see almost invisible devices so they are not easy to distinguish.

Enhanced Hearing Aid Use

The benefit of these three research studies is that the future should see more people utilizing hearing aids to help with their hearing loss. Instead of people not using aid to support their issues, they will be able to seek fast, precise and less visible devices to help.