3 Questions to Ask Your Audiologist about Hearing Loss

When you meet with an audiologist for the first time, you probably have a number of questions running through your mind. If you’ve scheduled an appointment with an audiologist to determine if you have hearing loss, there are a number of questions you should ask to ensure you get the full information needed to make the right treatment decisions.

Consider asking your audiologist the following three questions about hearing loss in the event you are diagnosed with the condition.

1. How severe is my hearing loss?

There are different kinds of hearing loss and every individual has their own unique set of hearing abilities. After your audiologist conducts a variety of hearing tests, they will use an audiogram to explain where your deficits are in hearing and what that means for you. Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe and profound. Once you understand the severity of your hearing loss, you will be able to better select the right hearing aids for your particular needs.

2. What are my treatment options?

Sometimes hearing loss is temporary and caused by extraneous things like earwax impactions or a medication you’re taking. If this is the case, your audiologist will likely remove any blockages and recommend you discuss your medication and symptoms with your general care provider.

If this isn’t the case, however, your audiologist will likely recommend hearing aids as the best treatment option. While hearing aids do not ‘restore’ your hearing, they do amplify the sounds around you that you need to hear, while filtering background noise to provide an easier listening experience. Your audiologist will work with you to make sure you get the right hearing aids for your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle and budget.

3. What happens if I don’t get hearing aids?

If your audiologist has recommended hearing aids and you are considering not purchasing them, talk with your professional about what the ramifications will be or if there are any. Often, hearing loss will continue to debilitate over time if not treated, which means while you may only have a mild loss now, it could evolve into moderate or severe. The higher degree of hearing loss generally means the more powerful technology and features you will need from a hearing aid.

Your audiologist is your partner when it comes to hearing care. Talk with them about any concerns, questions or problems you may be having regarding your hearing health.