The pros and cons

The plan is to keep adding to these lists of pros and cons as the project advances so that, when all is said and done, it will be easy to present a balanced view of both sides of the concept. This is just a start and the lists will grow. I don't aim to be biased but, depending on your perspective, cons might be pros and pros might be cons. 

 

Pros:

• Compared to audiologists, users have all the time in the world in which to make major and minor adjustments.
• Users can avoid trying to describe the meaning of blue to a blind man.
• The time between “appointments” is entirely down to the user. No stupid waiting times (typically measured in months).
• Where users are successful, they can save health services money on audiologists.
• Users are included in the loop and can feel as if they have some control.
• Users who have explored the software are in a better position to explain their needs to the audiologist while using common terminology.
• A user who has verified for himself/herself that the settings are optimal is more likely to be a happy patient. There's nothing agreeable about wearing a hearing aid which could be properly set up for you on sub-optimal settings.

  

Cons:

• Users could muck up their hearing.
• Users could keep mucking up and losing the settings made by their audiologist (potentially wasting a lot of time).
• Audiologists could be made redundant if users are doing a share of the work.
• The cost of the programming equipment is prohibitive.

Feel free to suggest additions to these lists!