Are Your Hearing Aids Performing Their Best? The Importance of Routine Check-Ins

Published on February 11, 2026

This article was written by Cadan Kleinheksel, B.S., BC-HIS, Clinical Director at Comprehensive Ear & Hearing in Grand Haven, MI.

Choosing to treat hearing loss is a significant step toward improving clarity, confidence, and connection. However, even after you walk out of the clinic with new devices your hearing care journey is far from finished. Hearing aids are not a one-time fix, they are sophisticated medical devices that rely on ongoing fine-tuning to deliver their best performance for your specific needs. Because your hearing continues to evolve over time, check-ins are essential to ensuring your devices keep pace with your communication needs.

Similar to vision exams, dental cleanings, or annual physicals, hearing aid check-ins are a critical part of long-term wellness. These visits safeguard the investment you’ve made in your hearing, reduce the risk of preventable frustration, and help you experience the full benefit of your technology every single day. If you want your hearing aids to perform at their peak, consistent follow-up care is one of the simplest (and smartest) habits you can build into your routine.

Why Routine Hearing Aid Check-Ins Matter

Most people assume hearing aids work the same on day 900 as they did on day one. In reality, both your hearing and your devices change throughout the months and years of use. Scheduled check-ins ensure your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist can monitor these changes and adjust your programming accordingly.

Your hearing changes, even when you don’t notice it.

Many adults experience gradual shifts in hearing sensitivity as part of the natural aging process. Noise exposure, medications, circulation changes, and middle-ear conditions can also create subtle fluctuations. These changes often happen so slowly that you adapt without realizing it.

A check-in allows your provider to compare your updated hearing thresholds to your original fitting data. If your hearing has shifted, they can often recalibrate your devices to restore clarity and reduce listening fatigue.

Your devices need maintenance to operate as intended.

Hearing aids work tirelessly from morning to night, exposed to moisture, wax, skin oils, and environmental debris. Even durable, well-designed devices benefit from deep cleaning and inspection every few months. During a check-in, your provider will:

• Replace filters, domes, or earmolds if needed
• Clean microphones, ports, and receivers
• Check battery life and charging function
• Evaluate fit for comfort and sound quality

Small maintenance tasks like these can prevent bigger performance issues down the road.

Skipping follow-ups increases frustration.

When people miss check-ins, they often begin noticing:

• More difficulty hearing in restaurants
• Sound that seems dull or less crisp
• Greater listening effort
• Trouble understanding soft-spoken voices
• A drop in overall satisfaction with their devices

These frustrations rarely mean the hearing aids are “failing.” Instead, they’re often a sign that the devices need updated programming or professional maintenance, both of which are addressed during routine appointments.

How Hearing Changes Over Time and What That Means for Your Devices

Hearing loss, especially age-related sensorineural loss, progresses gradually. The tiny sensory cells in the inner ear, which convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, become less efficient over time. Even a small decline can affect how clearly the brain interprets speech.

Common changes that develop over months or years include:

• Reduced ability to understand speech in noisy environments
• Difficulty hearing high-frequency consonants like S, F, or TH
• Feeling mentally taxed during long conversations
• Needing more volume, even when you don’t realize you’re turning things up

While these changes are normal, they also mean that your original hearing aid settings may no longer match your current needs. Check-ins allow your provider to identify early changes and update your devices to compensate, helping you maintain clarity and prevent unnecessary strain on the brain.

Catching Early Signs of Hearing Loss That May Affect Memory

Hearing loss often develops slowly and may not be obvious at first. Small changes can still impact the brain, even with mild hearing loss.

Common early signs include:

• Difficulty hearing speech when there is background noise
• Misunderstanding words or frequently asking for repetition
• Needing higher volume on the television or music
• Feeling tired after conversations
• Noticing that conversations require more concentration

Even mild hearing loss can influence how the brain processes sound. Detecting hearing changes early makes it easier to reduce strain, support memory function and maintain communication.

The Role of Real-Ear Measurement in Peak Hearing Aid Performance

One of the most powerful tools for ensuring your hearing aids are calibrated correctly is Real-Ear Measurement (REM) — widely considered the gold standard in hearing aid programming.

REM measures the exact sound levels reaching your eardrum while you are wearing your hearing aids. Because ear canals vary in shape, two people with identical hearing losses may require different programming to achieve the same clarity and comfort.

Why REM Matters

• It graphically verifies that your hearing aids amplify sound precisely according to your prescription
• It ensures soft sounds are audible, speech sounds are clear, and loud sounds are comfortable
• It provides objective data that your provider can compare over time to track changes
• It dramatically improves satisfaction and speech understanding

Think of REM as the “custom tuning” that transforms hearing aids from a generic device into one personalized specifically for your ears.

Fine-Tuning: How Small Adjustments Make a Big Difference

Even with a high-quality initial fitting, hearing aids need adjustments as your listening environments and daily routines evolve, and as your brain adapts to sound. These refinements allow your devices to adjust with you.

Adjustments may improve:

• Speech clarity in background noise
• Comfort when listening for long periods
• Balance between low- and high-frequency sounds
• Streaming quality for phone calls or media
• Directionality and focus in group settings

Why these adjustments matter

Your hearing aids are constantly collecting data about your listening environments, but they rely on your provider to interpret that information and refine your settings. This collaborative process creates a powerful combination of technology and expertise.

What Happens During a Hearing Aid Check-In?

An appointment is simple, comfortable, and comprehensive. Most appointments include:

1. A review of your current experience

Your provider will ask about challenges, listening environments, comfort, and ease of use. This conversation guides the next steps.

2. A complete cleaning and inspection

Wax, moisture, and daily wear can affect performance. A professional cleaning restores sound quality and prevents damage.

3. A hearing test, if needed

If you’ve noticed changes, your provider may complete a full audiometric evaluation.

4. Real-Ear Measurements and reprogramming

Your devices are adjusted based on updated hearing levels and real-world listening needs.

5. Verification of fit and comfort

Your ears may change shape over time or react to different materials; small adjustments ensure optimal comfort.

These appointments typically last 30–45 minutes but can have a profound impact on your day-to-day communication.

What Happens When You Skip Check-Ins?

Just as skipping dental visits can lead to bigger issues down the road, skipping hearing aid check-ins can create avoidable complications. You may experience:

• Reduced clarity
• More difficulty with background noise
• Shorter battery life
• Increased repairs
• Higher levels of listening fatigue
• Lower confidence and satisfaction

Avoiding check-ins may also delay the identification of meaningful hearing changes, making it harder for the brain to adapt once updated amplification is finally introduced.

Visits protect your investment and preserve your connection to the world around you.

Quick Answers About Hearing Aid Check-Ins

How often should I schedule a hearing aid check-in?

Most adults benefit from two-to-three visits per year, or more frequently if you notice changes.

What’s the difference between a hearing aid check-in and a hearing test?

A check-in focuses on device performance and comfort. A hearing test evaluates shifts in your hearing levels.

How long does a hearing aid check-in take?

Typically 30–45 minutes.

Do check-ins improve performance?

Yes. Research consistently shows that fine-tuning, maintenance, and REM-based adjustments significantly improve clarity and user satisfaction.

What if my hearing aids seem “good enough”?

Even if your experience feels stable, subtle improvements can reduce fatigue, enhance speech understanding, and keep your devices functioning reliably.

Your Next Steps and How HearingLoss.com® Can Help

At practices certified by HearingLoss.com (including Comprehensive Ear & Hearing) we believe hearing care should feel supportive, reassuring, and tailored to your life. Routine check-ins give us the opportunity to ensure your devices continue to work for you; not just on the day you were fit, but every day afterward.

Taking your next step is simple:

1. Schedule a check-in
2. Ask about updating your Real-Ear Measurement if it has been more than a year since your last update.
3. Bring any questions or concerns, experts are waiting to guide you with clarity, patience, and expertise.

Better hearing should empower you. Routine care helps ensure it does.

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Comprehensive Ear & Hearing in Grand Haven is dedicated to helping Michiganders hear their best and enhance their quality of life. With expert diagnostics, personalized treatment, and advanced hearing technology, the practice goes beyond simply providing hearing aids — it delivers compassionate, patient-first care. The knowledgeable team supports every step of the hearing journey, from thorough testing to customized solutions and dedicated follow-up. With a commitment to expertise and a personal touch, Comprehensive Ear & Hearing ensures patients receive the highest standard of care.