Abstract: A hearing aid is provided which is controlled by a remote control via infrared radiation. The remote control is provided with volume control keys, standardized sound environment keys and custom sound environment keys. When one of these keys is pressed, new circuit settings are transmitted to the hearing aid via infrared radiation. An audiologist tests a patient to obtain an audiogram, MCL and LDL measurements. A set of template overlays is used to determine curve shape and magnitude of loss. This data is stored in the remote control which uses it to derive the circuit settings. These settings which constitute a baseline set of settings are modified as a result of a key on the remote control being pressed.