Hearing Aids: What to Expect & How to Choose | UCSF EARS
Devices · hearing aids

Devices & hearing aids: start here

This page is built to reduce decision fatigue. Use it to understand the process, name what matters most, and (optionally) complete a short worksheet you can copy or print for your visit.

Start the worksheet See the process
Start here The process Pick priorities Optional worksheet Next steps
Educational only. This page and the worksheet do not determine candidacy or prescribe devices. Your audiologist will match options to your hearing tests, ear anatomy, and goals.

Start here (60 seconds)

Who this helps most

Adults exploring hearing aids or hearing technology who want a clear path: what happens when, what’s worth deciding ahead of time, and how to avoid a visit becoming “Bluetooth troubleshooting first, goals later.”

What to do right now

  1. Skim the process below (so you know which decisions happen when).
  2. Pick 2–4 priorities in the next section.
  3. Optional: use the worksheet tool and bring the summary.

Three reality checks worth knowing

  • Phone features vary. Calls/streaming may depend on your phone model, operating system, and the hearing-aid model/level.
  • Brand name isn’t a guarantee. Different models and technology levels can behave very differently.
  • Fit + verification + follow-up matter a lot. Many good outcomes are built through tuning over time, not a single purchase decision.
Good news: showing up with clear goals and a short summary often makes visits much more productive.

The process (what to expect)

Hearing care is usually a series of steps, not a single appointment. The exact plan varies with your hearing tests, health history, listening needs, and goals.

1) Hearing evaluation

A hearing test (audiogram and speech understanding measures) is often the first step. It helps connect numbers to real-life listening needs.

Test Results Decoder (tool)

2) Hearing aid discussion + plan

This is where your care team connects test results to your daily life (groups, work, calls, safety, fatigue) and helps pick realistic priorities.

Technology Explorer (tool)

3) Fitting + verification

If you move forward, devices are programmed for your hearing and physical fit, and verified when appropriate. Early adjustments are normal.

4) Follow-ups (where success is built)

Follow-ups refine clarity and comfort, troubleshoot tough settings, and consider accessories (like remote microphones) when helpful.

Tools you can use now

Captions, alerts, and phone accessibility features can reduce effort right away (with or without hearing aids).

Smartphone Hearing Guide (tool)

The hearing aid process (4 steps, plain language)

Step 1: Testing + speech understanding

Measures hearing sensitivity and how clearly you understand speech. This guides what’s realistic and what tradeoffs matter.

Step 2: Match goals to options

This is the “what matters most?” step: groups, work, calls, comfort, fatigue, tinnitus, and budget preferences.

Tip: if calls/streaming are non-negotiable, share your phone model and OS early so compatibility can be confirmed.

Step 3: Fitting + orientation

Devices are programmed for your hearing and fit. You’ll learn care basics and what changes you should request right away.

Step 4: Follow-ups

Adjustments refine real-world performance. If you still struggle after good fitting and follow-up, that’s a signal to discuss other options—not a personal failure.

Pick priorities (2–4 is enough)

This is a label system to help you communicate goals—not a promise that any single device will do everything. If you’re unsure, choose the items that match your hardest moments.

Select 2–4 priorities

For occasional groups/restaurants; benefit varies by hearing profile and tuning.
For frequent groups/restaurants; often a meaningful “sweet spot.”
Confirm what works for your phone model + OS + device level.
Many devices stream audio; exact behavior varies.
Often depends on physical fit choices and tuning over time.
For “whooshing” outdoors; often improved by specific features + fit.
Some people notice relief from better access to everyday sound; options may be personalized.
Helpful for distance + noise; can reduce effort in meetings and groups.
Heads up: “Speech in noise” improvements are real for many people, but they’re also individualized. Verification and follow-up tuning still matter.

Bring to your visit (copy/print)

This box stays useful even if scripts are blocked—fill it in manually if needed.

Visit summary

Plain-English glossary (short)

Streaming: audio from phone/TV/music routed to hearing aids (behavior varies by device/phone).

Hands-free calls: the hearing-aid microphones pick up your voice (this is the part that varies most).

Remote microphone: the talker wears a mic; their voice is sent directly to you (often helpful for distance + noise).

Optional worksheet (recommended if you want structure)

UCSF Hearing Aid Finder (worksheet)

This is a short pre-visit worksheet that helps you summarize lifestyle and preferences and generates a copyable visit summary. It is educational only and does not determine candidacy.

Open the worksheet

Next steps

If you want guided education

Use the Technology Explorer to learn vocabulary and map struggles to options. It’s educational—not a candidacy tool.

Technology Explorer (tool)

If you want “things I can do now”

Captions, alerts, and phone accessibility features can help immediately, whether or not you use hearing aids.

Smartphone Hearing Guide (tool)

Educational content only. This page does not provide medical diagnosis. Your care team will tailor recommendations to your hearing tests and goals.