What you will need

After doing some surfing around, I have compiled a general list of the hardware and software which you will need to configure your own hearing aids. This is a simplified post in which I describe the ingredients at the very highest level. Future posts will delve deeper. The following list starts from your brain and ends at the programming computer.

•  Your audiogram(s) (optional): This is usually used as the starting point for programming. However, it should be possible to download your current settings from your hearing aids and use those as the starting point.
• Hearing aids to program: If you have spare or broken hearing aids to practice on then consider doing so. Note that you don’t need hearing aids to explore the manufacturer’s software.
• Cable(s) to the programming interface: The cables depend on make and model of hearing aid. For example, Phonak currently use three different types of lead. If you wear two hearing aids then you will need two leads to be able to program both sides simultaneously. Be careful to get the right leads – they are very expensive and use odd connectors which will prevent you from making your own.
• The programming interface: This is expensive! There appear to be two or three different types of interface available. It seems that these interfaces can be connected to all (or almost all) hearing aids on the market today. Interfaces seem to start at around $500 and are rare as hen’s teeth.
• Driver software for the interface: (maybe) It is not clear yet but it sounds as though driver software is needed to allow the interface to talk to the computer. For all I know, if it is needed, it may well be supplied with the programming interface.
• Licence to use the interface: You are maybe supposed to have a licence to use the interface. The licence appears to be optional in much the same way as a TV licence. If you’re in the USA then you likely don’t know what a TV licence is and will wet yourself laughing when you find out.
• Cable between the programming interface and the computer: Older interfaces have used serial connections but more modern ones use USB cables.
• Manufacturer’s software: Surprisingly, much of this can be found online for download if you know where to look. You just need to ensure that you get a software download which is compatible with your hearing aids. The software does not appear to be backwards compatible so newer software won't necessarily work with older hearing aids. From what I gather, you can explore the software without making any connections to your hearing aids – so, don’t delay, download today!
• Instruction manuals (optional): If you can get instruction manuals for the software, interface and hearing aids, you might find programming easier. All the same, manuals do not seem to be essential.
• Audiology books (optional): There must be some good books out there which would be worth studying before making adjustments.

That’s all you and I should need by all accounts. Let’s see how things pan out though.