Self-fit vs audiologist-fit hearing aids

The author believes that the optimum choice for patients with hearing loss is not the patient pursuing his/her own “do-it-yourself” diagnosis and self-selected treatment option, but rather pursue the audiologist-driven patient-centered approach using the long-held traditional “diagnosis first, treatment second” approach currently used in medicine and healthcare. In a recent research study to determine if significant differences would emerge using these two approaches in the provision of hearing aids, De Sousa, et al.,1 reported equivalent outcomes between hearing aids fit by audiologists, when compared to self-fit Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids. In their article, the authors provided numerous caveats to help explain the findings. Numerous “traditional” hearing aids can be successfully fit to every appropriate patient depending on factors as etiology; type, magnitude and configuration of hearing loss; desired improvement in aided signal-to-noise ratio; expertise of the provider regarding implementing best practices to address the goals of the patient. To the author, the most significant factor is the expertise (i.e., diagnosis, consultation, recommendation, selection, programming, verification, and validation services) of the provider.