When you go in to have your hearing aid fitted, you can expect to have the audiologist or other hearing healthcare professional to ask you a lot of questions. They’ll ask about your comfort level, range of movement, feel and more.

But audiologists shouldn’t be the only ones asking questions; you should be, too. Knowledge is power, and the best way to maintain that power is to get informed.

Consider asking these questions while at your hearing aid fitting appointment. It might be a good idea to write them, and any additional questions you think of, beforehand so that you don’t forget while in the moment.

1. Will this hurt?

Generally speaking, getting an accurate fitting shouldn’t cause create physical pain, pressure or discomfort. But there are different methods of fitting required for different styles of hearing aids. If you’re worried about being in pain, tell your audiologist. They will be able to work with you, telling you if something will hurt. An audiologist will likely take extra precaution if you’re particularly sensitive to pain.

2. Will this fitting be covered by my insurance?

While some audiology appointments, such as the hearing aid evaluation, are covered by heath insurance, many follow ups, especially those pertaining to hearing aids, are not. The audiologist or hearing healthcare professional may have this answer. The better bet is to ask your health insurance if the appointment will be covered. It’s best to ask this question prior to your appointment, so you know what you may have to cover out of pocket.

3. What do I need to know?

Most audiologists and other hearing healthcare professionals will provide you with a laundry list of material and information you need to know including:

  • Proper insertion of hearing aid
  • How to work and use your hearing aids
  • How to clean and care for your hearing aids
  • What to do if they begin to malfunction

You will also likely receive a schedule for “breaking your hearing aids in.” People who wear hearing aids for the first time can easily tire out if they wear their devices too long, which is why most audiologists will create a schedule for easing into the new devices.

4. Will there be any follow-up appointments?

Not all hearing aid fittings hit the ball out of the park. In fact, there’s a decent chance adjustments will be called for, based on your feedback after wearing your hearing aid for a designated amount of time, or simply as part of your audiologists standard operating procedure, even if everything seems to be perfect with your hearing aid. Don’t balk at this; follow-up visits may be a hassle, but they will ultimately result in fewer audiology appointments in the long run.