IHS Aftercare Best Practices (Q2 2026)-IHS Aftercare Best Practices Article

IHS Aftercare Best Practices Article

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The document announces a new 2026 International Hearing Society best practices statement on <strong>aftercare for prescription hearing aid wearers</strong>. It emphasizes that hearing loss is a <strong>chronic, progressive condition</strong> requiring ongoing professional management, and that <strong>aftercare expectations should be discussed before fitting</strong> and adjusted over time.

A central recommendation is to create a <strong>plan of care</strong> that covers assessment, fitting, post-fitting follow-up, and long-term aftercare. Because needs vary by patient, the plan should be individualized based on factors such as hearing aid style, cerumen volume, cognitive status, and physical ability.

The statement outlines several key aftercare services:
- <strong>Prescription hearing aid maintenance</strong> at least <strong>twice per year</strong> and more often if needed, including inspection, cleaning, troubleshooting, connectivity help, parts replacement, counseling, and firmware updates.
- <strong>Electroacoustic analysis (EAA)</strong> at least <strong>annually</strong>, and more often after repairs, moisture exposure, wax in the receiver, or reports of reduced/distorted sound.
- <strong>Verification measurements</strong> using probe microphone measures whenever programming or hardware changes occur, hearing changes, or the patient requests modifications.
- <strong>Hearing status checks</strong>, with hearing tests every <strong>two years</strong> for most patients, but <strong>annually</strong> for higher-risk cases such as new hearing aid users, asymmetrical loss, certain chronic conditions, ototoxic exposure, or ENT direction.
- <strong>Auditory rehabilitation</strong>, with follow-up monitoring of benefit at least every <strong>six months</strong>.
- <strong>Cerumen management</strong>, performed whenever earwax interferes with hearing aid function or hearing, with review at each visit.

Overall, the statement sets an evidence-based standard that hearing aid care must continue well beyond the fitting appointment.

Keywords

hearing aid aftercare

prescription hearing aids

International Hearing Society

best practices statement

chronic hearing loss

plan of care

electroacoustic analysis

probe microphone measures

cerumen management

auditory rehabilitation