Abstract: Evidence-based guidelines for setting and verifying gain in hearing aid fittings are well established, but currently, best-practice recommendations for advanced settings are not. The purpose of this presentation is to provide audiologists with guidance for setting advanced features in the hearing aid during the fitting based on scientific literature in combination with readily available information collected during a case history. This presentation will provide a seasoned clinician with helpful tips to improve their fittings, but will also include a brief overview of advance hearing aid features so no experience necessary.
Summary: Evidence-based guidelines for setting and verifying gain in hearing aid fittings are well established, but currently, best-practice recommendations for advanced settings are not. When it comes to fitting a hearing aid, the gain gets most of the attention. Advanced features are important too but not many have the time leverage them beyond their default settings. Often times the advanced features are left as a set of tools to address complaints at follow up appointments. But what if the follow up could be left for counseling and addressing other hearing aid related issues? This is possible if the advanced features are included at the fitting. It is difficult to know how to adjust them without spending hours collecting literature about the feature and the populations it can serve. The purpose of this presentation is to provide attendees with guidance for setting advanced features during the fitting based on scientific literature in combination with readily available information collected during a case history. This presentation will provide a seasoned clinician with helpful tips to improve their fittings, but will also include a brief overview of advance hearing aid features so no experience necessary. There will also be opportunities for audience participation and knowledge sharing.
Learning Objectives:
List examples of advanced features that could be modified based on patient characteristics.
Identify different hearing aid user characteristics that could drive advanced feature settings.
Describe the importance of a good first fit and the need for follow ups.
