Cognitive-Informed Hearing Aid Fittings: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Distortion and Listening Effort

As hearing aid technology advances, so must our clinical approach—especially for older adults facing both hearing loss and cognitive decline. This session explores how traditional fittings can unintentionally increase distortion and listening effort, and how evidence-based, cognitive-informed strategies can enhance outcomes. Attendees will learn to: Apply cognitive-informed fitting strategies to reduce distortion and improve communication. Integrate auditory processing and cognitive considerations into selection, programming, and counseling. Use acoustic principles to minimize distortion and optimize clarity. Evaluate and apply advanced AI-driven hearing aid features for complex auditory and cognitive needs.

Learner Outcome 

1: Upon completion, participants will be able to apply cognitive-informed fitting strategies to reduce distortion and improve communication.                                                                           Learner Outcome 

2: Upon completion, participants will be able to Integrate auditory processing and cognitive considerations into selection, programming, and counseling.                                              3: Upon completion, participants will be able to evaluate and apply advanced AI-driven hearing aid features for complex auditory and cognitive needs.                                                                           

Bio

Dr. Heidi Hill has owned and operated Hearing Health Clinic, an audiology private practice in Osseo, MN, for over 16 years. She received her Master of Arts in Communication Disorders at the University of Minnesota in 1996, completed a clinical fellowship year in speech pathology and audiology in 1997, and received an Au.D. from A.T. Still University in 2013. Dr. Hill focuses on patient- and family- centered care that considers the entire auditory system, including auditory and cognitive processing. Dr. Hill is passionate about integrating more functional hearing assessments and remediation that consider hearing, listening, and communicating ear-to-brain. She has spent the last several years applying research discoveries to clinical application, resulting in a more holistic audiological approach.

Email: heidi@hearinghealthmn.com

Financial Disclosures: none