Different hearing aids adjust in different ways, and it depends on the type of hearing aid you have as to how much you can adjust it. Some let you change volume through a rotary switch on top while some have more intricate settings, enabling you to alter other aspects such as frequency and background noise filtration. Adjusting for fit is substantially different from adjusting for sound. In most cases, fit adjustments will need to be performed by a professional audiologist.

Adjusting for Hearing

Depending on the type of hearing aid you have, you’ll usually find that adjusting the hearing patterns requires the assistance of an audiologist. In most cases, you need some sort of proprietary software that links with your hearing aid through a dedicated cable, and then you can upload the adjustments to that hearing aid. Some allow automatic adjustments based on audiograms that have been put into the machine, whereas others may require manual adjustment.

Older analog hearing aids may have two screws that are adjusted by taking the cover off the top. However, these tend to be rare as digital hearing aids are now generally cheaper and more effective.

Many hearing aids come with additional functionality, such as a focus mode for one-on-one conversations or manual adjustment of the hearing volume. For focus mode, look for a button on top of the hearing aid that can be pressed. When activated, you’ll usually hear an audible signal and a subtle change in the way you perceive sound. Press it again, and you may be rooted to the telecoil function or perhaps back to normal omnidirectional sound.

Manual volume adjustments are typically through a rotary switch, although in many modern hearing aids volume can be adjusted with the press of a button. Turn the switch one way and it’ll get louder, and if you turn it the other, it’ll get quieter. If you have a button, you may find that pressing on the right one raises the volume while the left one lowers the volume.

Adjusting Hearing Aids for Fit

Fit adjustments are a bit more complex, as they depend on what part of the hearing aid doesn’t fit.

Most audiologists will look at three main components for the fit: the size of the ear hole, the shape of the earmold (if applicable) and the length of the tube between the unit and the earmold or dome.

For RIC (receiver in canal) hearing aids, the size of your ear hole determines the size of the dome that goes into it. Most manufacturers offer a number of fits, often small, medium and large. There should be slight resistance when you pull on the hearing aid, but it shouldn’t scrape noticeably.

Similarly, the earmold for behind-the-ear hearing aids and half-shell/full-shell in-the-ear designs should be comfortable and shouldn’t press uncomfortably on the tragus, the crus helix or the cavum. In some cases, the molding process may leave a slight burr; your audiologist should be able to file that down.

If you have a mold for a BTE hearing aid, the tube tends to be very rigid and it needs to be adjusted for fit. The ear hook should fit comfortably around the top part of your ear, connecting to the tube of the earmold. That tube can often be cut to size. If you have an RIC hearing aid, you cannot make adjustments to that tube, but it is a lot more flexible and lighter. Different sizes may be available if you have particularly large or small ears, so again, talking to an audiologist to discover the best options for your hearing needs is wise.