How to Use Your Hearing Aids Controls

To get the very most out of your hearing aid, you need to know how to use it properly. The controls might be a little confusing at first, and it also might be the case that there are multiple ways in which you can choose to control your hearing aid too, so it’s important to know that.

If you’re not sure and you want to find out more about controlling your hearing aids and getting the most out of them from one day to the next, this guide will provide you with the information you need.

Allow your audiologist to familiarize you with the controls

When you first get a new hearing aid, you’ll need to have it fitted and programmed by a trained professional. That professional will usually be your audiologist. They’ll have the knowledge and understanding necessary to also guide you through the first stages of getting used to your new hearing device.

They’ll be able to show you how to get the most out of the device and they’ll also help you to understand how the various controls work. So rather than trying to figure it out by yourself, you should take the time to listen to the guidance offered by your audiologist. And if there are any things that they don’t cover, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

On-board controls

Many of the controls you’ll need to use when controlling your hearing aid devices and making adjustments to their output can be found on-board the device itself. As the name suggests, these controls are connected to the device and might come in the form of buttons, wheels and rocker switches.

It’s often the case that the volume controls will come in the form of a wheel. This wheel can then be turned and adjusted in the necessary way to ensure the correct and appropriate volume is found. This is often the most important control to master as people often need different volume levels depending on the situation, they’re in.

Controls via an app

Some devices now come with a complementary app, and the controls for the device can then be found on that app. This means that you simply access your smartphone and head to the app when you want to adjust the settings in some way. It’s a modern and convenient way to make adjustments to your hearing aid.

There are clearly plenty of benefits that come with this sort of arrangement. It means that you don’t have to remove and fiddle around with your hearing aid and the usually very small controls, wheels and switches on the device. It all happens from your smartphone with no need to touch the hearing aid at all in most cases.

A wireless accessory

There are similar examples of hearing aids that don’t necessarily have an app of their own, but they do come with a wireless accessory that can be used to control the device and its settings. These are a little older and have been around for longer; they’re essentially what those new apps we discussed above have replaced.

They come with the same benefits of those apps too, with the added disadvantage of having to have a whole other device that you need to take with you. Nevertheless, they do allow people to control their hearing aids in a way that suits them. And many elderly hearing aid users prefer them because they’re not entirely familiar or comfortable with apps and smartphones.

For bigger adjustments, see your audiologist

If you’ve been having persistent problems with the volume or other settings on your hearing aid and you’re not having much luck trying to fix them, it might be a better idea to consult your audiologist. They’re specialists in this field and they know how to make more complex adjustments. 

They’ll be able to take a closer look at how the hearing aid device is programmed and potentially make changes to that programming so that the performance is better suited to your present-day needs.

If you’re looking to get your hearing tested or you need help and assistance with your hearing aid device, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services. They’ll be able to set up an appointment for you and a professional audiologist will take care of you from there. Contact us today at 912-351-3038.