Hearing aids are state-of-the-art medical devices designed to provide the exact amount of amplification you need in order to hear well in various environments. These devices come with pre-set programs that work in general situations; however, you may find yourself in a listening environment where you need a bit more of a boost.
About Pre-Set Hearing Aid Programs
The first step in getting a hearing aid that’s programmed for your exact hearing needs is to get a hearing test. The results of your hearing test are charted on an audiogram, which is a visual representation of your hearing loss. Your audiologist then uses the audiogram to program your devices so they provide the right level of amplification in the right frequencies.
Today’s hearing aids offer pre-set programs that your audiologist will fine-tune. The purpose of these different programs is to provide the right amount of amplification no matter where you are. For example, the program you need when you’re buying produce at the bustling West Seattle Farmers Market is different than the one you’ll need when you get home. Most modern devices can switch between these programs automatically.
When Custom Programs Are Necessary
During your hearing test, you’ll want to talk to your audiologist about your lifestyle habits so they can determine if you could benefit from custom programs.
Commonly requested custom hearing aid programs include:
- Wind noise reduction to decrease the whipping sound of wind against your microphone if you enjoy spending time outdoors.
- Car program to adjust the directionality of microphone on your hearing aids to pick up voices beside you rather than in front of you if you frequently go on road trips.
- Music programs to amplify a wider range of frequencies than just speech if you’re a concert aficionado.
How to Get Custom Programs
If you find yourself needing an extra boost in certain listening situations, it’s important to communicate this with your audiologist. They can create custom programs that match your lifestyle and help you hear your best during all your favorite activities.
Once programmed, you’ll be able to switch between the programs as needed in the event your device doesn’t do it for you. For more information about custom hearing aid programs or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call Evergreen Speech & Hearing Inc today!