You’ve scheduled a hearing evaluation, and the appointment is on the calendar. Taking the first step in your hearing journey is incredibly exciting, but it can also be a little daunting. We at Charleston ENT & Allergy are here to support you, so here are the answers to some questions you may have.
What Can I Expect at My First Hearing Evaluation?
There are three main steps to a hearing evaluation.
- Preliminary discussion. You and your audiologist will have an in-depth conversation about your symptoms, medical history, family medical history, profession (as it might relate to noise-induced hearing loss) and lifestyle.
- Hearing test(s). Your audiologist will conduct testing on your ears and hearing organs to determine the depth and breadth of your hearing loss. There are several types of hearing tests, and your audiologist will determine which tests to perform and how many.
- Evaluation. Your audiologist will go over your hearing test results and create a customized hearing loss treatment plan with you. This portion is informative and is where most of the major decisions will be made.
Will It Be Uncomfortable?
Hearing tests are easy and painless. Most hearing tests involve wearing padded noise-cancelling headphones or a specialized headband, which should not cause discomfort or pain.
How Long Will the Appointment Last?
Most hearing evaluations last between 60 and 90 minutes. As discussed, there are a few steps involved and a lot of information to cover, so we need plenty of time to get to it all and provide you with complete care.
Can I Bring Someone with Me?
Yes! Bringing a loved one with you to your appointment is a great idea for many reasons. They’ll help you feel supported and safe during the appointment, providing comfort and familiarity. Also, as mentioned above, hearing evaluations can be very information-heavy, so having another person around will help ensure that you catch everything.
A loved one may also have valuable insights into your hearing loss for your audiologist. Hearing loss never just affects one person; it also affects communication and relationships with others. In fact, your loved one may have noticed symptoms of hearing loss that you had missed.
Should I Do Any Research Beforehand?
You and your audiologist will have an in-depth discussion about how your hearing works, your hearing loss and how hearing aids work (if hearing aids are necessary) when the time comes, but it doesn’t hurt to come prepared. Knowing the basics of how hearing works or what tinnitus is (if you suspect you have tinnitus) may help cut down on the information overload.
You may also want to research the various styles of hearing aids. Learn the pros and cons of each style and consider your preferences and what will fit your lifestyle. That said, remember that you’re not making a final decision yet; your audiologist will have their own expert recommendations that take your hearing needs and current hearing aid technology into account.
Who Should I Contact if I Have More Questions?
If you have any more questions prior to your appointment, we encourage you to call us. We want to make sure you feel prepared and confident before your hearing evaluation, so don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff.