Hearing aids are not a standardized product; each aidhas elements, including the shell or earmold, that are custom-made forthe wearer. If you decide to try a hearing aid, the steps are quitesimple. After the testing process, your hearing professional will makean impression of your ear, a relatively easy process.

A bit of cotton or foam is placed well into the earcanal to block any of the impression material from reaching the eardrum.Then the malleable impression material is placed in the ear until itsets, which takes a few minutes. Once it has conformed to the shape ofyour ear, it's gently removed.

This impression or mold of your ear is sent, along withyour audiogram and other test results, to the manufacturer's lab.Hearing aids are individually constructed, beginning with the plastichousing or earmold, an exact replica of your ear impression. Circuitryis added, the aid is tested, and then shipped back to your hearingprofessional.

When the finished hearing aid is sent back, you'll seeyour hearing professional for the fitting. This is likely to includerepeating some of the audio testing you underwent initially, as well astests that measure the hearing aid's performance. As your hearing aid isfine-tuned, it's a good time to ask questions, and talk through initialexpectations with your hearing professional. You may need to come back atime or two for further adjusting, which is typical and usually coveredin the purchase price of most hearing aids.