Remote Hearing Aid Adjustments: What to Know

Posted on by Advanced ENT & Allergy

Hearing aids are a game-changer for the 15% of adults in the U.S. living with hearing loss. These sophisticated devices amplify speech sounds to help you reconnect with your loved ones. When you first get hearing aids, your audiologist will fine-tune them to your hearing needs. This tuning is usually referred to as programming or fitting. Over time, your hearing needs may change, necessitating another adjustment. This is where remote hearing aid adjustments can offer better clarity and convenience. Let’s look at a few reasons your devices may need adjustment and how you can schedule one with your hearing aid specialist.

Hearing Loss Progression

Man with a hearing aid looking at his phone.

Hearing loss, especially when caused by aging, often starts mild and progresses over time. As this happens, the amplification provided by your hearing aids might need to be increased. Other potential causes of worsening hearing loss may include loud noise exposure, ototoxic medication (medication that damages the inner ear), infections and physical blockages in the ear canal.

Device Malfunction

If speech sounds muffled or unclear, it doesn’t always mean that your hearing loss has progressed. It could indicate that your hearing aids need recalibration to improve sound quality.

Feedback is another common device malfunction. Often described as a whistling noise, feedback can disrupt sound quality. This issue might stem from earwax buildup or the need for new programming. If cleaning your devices doesn’t resolve the feedback, an adjustment may be necessary.

Scheduling a Remote Adjustment

Remote adjustments may vary between device brands but generally follow similar steps. First, request an appointment through your device app. You may be asked to provide specifics about your sound quality. At the scheduled time, connect with your hearing aid specialist via the hearing aid app. Your specialist will ask detailed questions about your devices and make changes in real-time. You should notice an improvement in your hearing as soon as the changes are made.

For more information on adjusting your hearing aids or to schedule an appointment, contact Advanced ENT & Allergy today.