Speech recognition system for fitting hearing assistance devices

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved fitting and programming of hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a system for fitting a hearing assistance device. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmer and a hearing assistance device configured to receive a transmission including commands and information from the programmer. The programmer is configured to receive voice commands for fitting the hearing assistance device and to initiate transmissions to the hearing assistance device using speech recognition, in various embodiments. The transmissions are used to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing assistance device. In one embodiment the programmer includes a personal computer. The programmer includes a cellular telephone, in one embodiment. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.