In the past, hearing aid programming consisted mostly of a series of beeps and noises. Today, Audiologists are equipped with new technologies and methods to make the hearing evaluation process and hearing aid programming process more effective.
One of the more advanced technologies available is live speech mapping, an exciting new method of fitting for hearing aids using speech as a stimulus to help the Audiologist program the correct settings for each wearer. Live speech mapping makes fitting appointments more interactive and can reduce the number of office visits required for successful hearing aid programming. Live Speech Mapping has become the Gold Standard of hearing aid fitting validation. Ironically, few dispensing practices routinely employ this technology.
What is Live Speech Mapping?
Live Speech Mapping is a verification procedure to further customize and validate your hearing aid settings. Taking into account the anatomy of your ear canal, we obtain probe microphone measurements while you wear your hearing aids and listen to real speech stimuli at various input levels.
Using our high-tech equipment, we “see” what you are hearing through your hearing aids on a screen in real-time. You can also see the adjustments and participate in the process. This allows both you and your family members to visualize and understand the differences that hearing aids make in your hearing ability.
Benefits of Live Speech Mapping
Live speech mapping is known for its accuracy. It also creates a much more positive fitting experience by allowing both you and your family to see the immediate results of your hearing aids and their positive impact on daily life. Both you and your family will be engaged in the fitting process, making it a joint affair.
If you have a hearing loss, it’s sometime difficult to fully understand what you can and cannot hear, and therefore, you may not understand everything you are missing. With Live Speech Mapping, you will have the ability to hear the improvements immediately, and you will see exactly what you can and cannot hear in real-time.
Additional Benefits Live Speech Mapping:
- Focuses on effectively hearing human speech
- Engages both you and your family in the fitting process
- Provides immediate and tangible results
- Shown to increase successful outcomes of fittings
- Increases your confidence and comfort in using your new hearing aids
- Provides more accurate programming of hearing aids
Live speech mapping is truly a wonderful new technology and Heartland Hearing Center is proud to be one of the elite few who provide this highly advanced patient benefit.