If you have had a hearing test that has identified hearing loss, then obtaining a hearing aid is likely to be the next step you take. To find the right hearing aid for you, you’re going to want to attend a hearing aid fitting with an audiologist to help guide you through the process.

If you are waiting for your hearing aid fitting, you may be curious about how you can make the most of your experience, and how to make sure that the appointment provides you with all the information you need. If you want to ensure that the appointment leaves you feeling confident and content with your new hearing aid, then try to remember to ask the following three questions.

“How do I work the different programs?”

Most modern hearing aids come with a number of different programs. These programs help to save you time and promote ease of use, allowing you to adjust the settings of your device without having to manually reprogram it every time. Some programs are designed to be used in quiet environments when you might need less amplification, while others are suitable for when you’re in a noisier area.

Ask your audiologist to go through each of the programs with you, and ensure you’re absolutely certain you know how to switch between them with confidence. Programs can make living with a hearing aid incredibly simple, so you’re going to want to know exactly how to operate this valuable function.

“How should I clean my hearing aid?”

Hearing aids are not self-cleaning and, if you want to get the most from your new device, you’re going to need to undertake thorough cleaning. To do this, you need to know exactly how to clean the specific hearing aid that you have chosen. Your audiologist will be able to advise you exactly how to clean your hearing aid so you can keep it working to the best of its abilities.

Even if you have had a hearing aid before, you’re going to want to obtain specific cleaning instructions for every hearing aid you own. Hearing aids are very different to one another, so what works on one device might not work on another.

“What can’t I do with this hearing aid in place?”

While hearing aids are generally able to adapt to your life with ease, there will inevitably be restrictions on what you can do while wearing them. For example, most hearing aids cannot be exposed to water, so you won’t be able to wear the device when you’re in the bath or shower.

As with the cleaning requirements, different devices have different abilities, so you need to know the specific “do not” list for your new device. Sticking to the “do not” rules will help to ensure that your hearing aid remains in perfect working order in the future.

If you ask the three questions above, you can be confident that your hearing aid fitting – and your subsequent life with your new device – will go as well as it possibly can.