How often do you have your hearing test after you start to wear hearing aids?

I’d recommend asking your hearing specialist.

After getting my first hearing aids, I waited four years before getting another hearing test. At that second test, according to the HIS, my hearing was “a little worse”. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to get a copy of the audiogram back then. It was well before I discovered this forum. I’ve had my new hearing aids (my second set) for about six months now. I plan on my next hearing test this summer (about a year after my last). After that we’ll see how it goes. I’ll ask at the next test how often I should test.

I didn’t engage much with my HIS on my first set of hearing aids. I think this was a mistake on my part. For example, I didn’t realize that my first set never reached target. Only now after getting more involved and informed about hearing loss and hearing aids, did I get that I should ask more questions and understand better.

With my second set of hearing aids, they weren’t programmed at target either, but now six months (and a few adjustments) later, I’m there. I’m still getting used to the latest adjustment, but I think I’m in the right place now.

Typically you might have a few visits to your AuD in the first 6 months or so. Once your aids have been adjusted to suit your loss it’s generally every 12 months unless something goes wrong.

At least yearly for a full exam. And a quick check in between.

The audiologist recommended annually at my age (I was late 60s when I got my first aids), and that’s what I do.

Look, hearing aids aren’t “set it and forget it” kitchen appliances;

you’ll be seeing me 2 to 4 times in the first three months just to stop your brain from complaining. After that, get your butt back in the chair once a year for a full test—unless you’re planning on waiting until your hearing is so far gone that even my best tech can’t save you.

If you're over 65 years of age I would recommend getting your hearing retested every 12 - 18 months or sooner if you're experiencing new difficulties. At the very least you'll catch any changes and can get your programming adjusted before you start experiencing any noticeable new communication difficulties.

At the same time most audiology clinics will service your devices and clear away any debris/moisture ingress that you haven't managed to do yourself and this will improve device performance in the long run. Often assistants do this in the background while your hearing is retested. It also gives you a good opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns you might have.

The best clinics have a thorough maintenance plan which will perform the same device checks every 3 -4 months. At the end of the day you get more consistent performance and better device longevity with fewer costly repairs because problems are dealt with before they become major issues.

Interesting replies. The audiologist I see at Costco told me at my age (late 70s at the time), once a year would be good. I admit to not getting in that often as long as things are going along well and I have no urge to try a new model I see lauded here.

mine is every 12 months unless i think there's a change and then i just request it at the time. they also check my hearing aids 6 months after the retest & fine tune visit.

@Neville said:

clinicians that are also managers, and so control the schedule and the standard for retests, are

Do you have a source for that? I’ve seen it in writing that regular employees are all hourly, and managers are all salaried. No incentive for sales anywhere across the company.

WH

I have friends who have worked as managers at Costco hearing clinics. It's possible that Canadian and American Costcos work differently in that regard.