Preparing For Your Audiologist Appointment

Every year, thousands if not millions of people find themselves seeking an appointment with an audiologist. Hearing loss is an incredibly common condition that can impact anyone at any age, and if hearing loss is present, then the assistance of an audiologist is vital.

If you have decided that you require further investigation regarding the hearing difficulties you are experiencing, then an audiologist appointment is your best choice. However, you may also be curious about what is going to happen, and how you should prepare for the appointment itself. To try and ease your mind, let’s dive into the details so you know exactly what’s in store.

To mentally prepare yourself, here’s an overview of what you are going to experience at the appointment.

You will receive a thorough ear health check

Your ears will be examined and will give the audiologist a detailed view of the workings of your inner ear. This is not uncomfortable or painful.

You will then receive a full hearing test

The majority of audiologists use a system called a pure-tone audiometry test. This test involves wearing a pair of headphones, through which intermittent sounds are played. These sounds will be played at differing volumes and frequencies, some of which you will not be able to hear. When you do hear them, you press a button to signal this to the audiologist.

You may also undergo a test called automated otoacoustic emissions tests (abbreviated to AOAE), where a computer is attached to the ear. Clicking noises are then played, and the ear’s response is measured.

Finally, you may receive a bone conduction test. A vibrating sensor is placed behind your ear, pressing to the bone. The auditory nerves in the ear are then monitored for their response.

None of the above tests are uncomfortable or painful, so there’s no need to worry.

Now you know what’s in store, here are a few suggestions as to what you can do to prepare yourself physically:

Clean your ears

A hearing test will be most effective if you remove any earwax build-up from your ears prior to the appointment. This can usually be done with over-the-counter drops, which will dissolve the wax, and provide a clear view for your audiologist to study.

If you have used these drops and still suspect that there is excess wax present in your ears, then you may want to visit your doctor and request for your ears to be syringed. This is usually only necessary when there are large wax deposits, but it’s best to check if you suspect this may be the case – you want the audiologist to have the best view possible.

Prepare questions

If you are diagnosed with diminished hearing, then you are going to want to know about the next steps. Jot down a few questions so you remember to ask, including:

• What are the next steps for obtaining a hearing aid?
• What is the potential cost of a hearing aid?
• Is there anything that I can do to prevent further deterioration?

The above should help you mentally and physically prepare yourself for your audiologist appointment.