Getting hearing aids is more than picking a device and walking out the door. The fitting process plays a significant role in how well your hearing aids actually work for you — and knowing what to expect can set you up for a much smoother, more confident start to better hearing.

Here's a look at what happens when you come in for a hearing aid fitting at Sioux Falls Audiology Associates.

Before the Fitting

Everything starts with a comprehensive hearing evaluation. We assess the type and degree of your hearing loss, the health of your outer and middle ear, and how your hearing loss is affecting your day-to-day life. From there, Dr. Norgaard takes the time to walk through your options — different styles, technology levels, and manufacturers — so you can make a decision that fits your lifestyle and budget, not just your audiogram.

Once you've selected your hearing aids, we schedule your fitting appointment.

What Happens at the Fitting

At your fitting appointment, your hearing aids are programmed based on your specific hearing loss. Most hearing aid manufacturers provide fitting software that generates a starting prescription, but that's just the beginning.

This is where Real Ear Measurement (REM) becomes a key part of the process. REM involves placing a thin probe microphone in the ear canal to measure the actual sound level being delivered by the hearing aid at your eardrum. This matters because every ear canal is shaped differently, and a hearing aid programmed purely by software may over- or under-amplify certain frequencies for a given patient.

With REM, we can verify that the hearing aids are hitting the target amplification levels your hearing loss requires — across the full range of frequencies. Rather than asking "how does that sound?" and adjusting based purely on your feedback, we have objective data showing exactly what your ears are receiving. It's worth knowing that less than 35% of hearing aid providers include this step. We use it with every patient.

The fitting appointment is also when we show you how to use and care for your devices — inserting and removing them, charging or changing batteries, cleaning them properly, and using any companion apps that come with your hearing aids.

The Adjustment Period

Most people don't walk out of their first fitting and hear perfectly right away. That's completely normal. Your brain needs time to adjust to processing sounds it may not have heard clearly in months or years. Voices, background noise, and even your own voice can sound different at first.

We schedule follow-up appointments to check in on how things are going. If something feels off — sounds too sharp, certain environments are difficult, or the fit isn't comfortable — we make adjustments. This may include fine-tuning the programming, adjusting the physical fit of the device, or replacing domes or tubing.

For new hearing aid users, REM is typically performed within the first couple of weeks once your brain has had some time to adjust. At that point, we can make more precise programming changes based on both the objective measurements and your real-world experience.

Ongoing Care

The relationship doesn't end after the first few appointments. Hearing can change over time, and your hearing aids should reflect that. We offer service plans to keep your devices working well, your ears healthy, and your hearing aid prescription up to date.

Regular visits allow us to check for wax buildup in the devices, inspect the tubing and receivers, and run any necessary reprogramming if your hearing shifts. We also carry hearing aid supplies — cleaning tools, wax traps, batteries, and domes — so you're never without what you need.

If something goes wrong between appointments, we do in-office repairs and can send devices to the manufacturer if needed.

Schedule Your Fitting in Sioux Falls

If you've been fitted for hearing aids elsewhere and feel like you're not getting the results you expected, or if you're ready to take your first step toward better hearing, we'd love to help. At Sioux Falls Audiology Associates, every fitting includes Real Ear Measurement and ongoing support from Dr. Norgaard — an audiologist who has worn hearing aids herself since the age of three. Call us at 605-306-3050 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.