If you are ready to embark on the path toward treatment for hearing loss, congratulations! That decision to schedule a hearing test is one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your hearing health. Our hearing healthcare providers will guide you through the process, beginning with an examination and consultation. Once we have an assessment of your needs, we can point you toward the right models of hearing aids to meet your needs.
However, you’re likely to have some questions and concerns through the process. We will try to predict these needs and provide you with all the essential information, but there may be specific questions you have, as well. If you are getting ready for your hearing consultation, what should you consider? Are there individual aspects of your lifestyle that require support?
The following are some of the important questions to ask during a hearing consultation. You might want to write them down before your visit. Another good idea is to bring along a trusted friend or loved one to remind you of the topics that you want to discuss. This person will offer crucial moral support, as well, and the visit will likely be more fun with a friend. This trusted person will also help you remember all the details and information after the consultation is finished.
Questions about the Nature of Hearing Loss
Our experts will be able to assess your hearing needs and provide you with the right treatment to address these issues, but you might be curious about the nature of your hearing loss. Is it the same in both ears? Are there certain sounds that are more difficult to hear than others? Is there an underlying cause of the hearing loss? We will do our best to answer these questions, and one of the important tools will be your audiogram. This graph depicts the frequencies that are most difficult for you to hear, and we’ll be glad to interpret the results in a way that makes sense to you.
Questions about the Treatment Options
When it comes to treatment, most people will be provided with hearing aids. These devices tend to be the best assistance for someone with hearing loss, but they come in many shapes and sizes. You might want to ask what sizes and types are suited to your needs. Can you get hearing aids that fit entirely in the ear canal? Is it better to use a model that sits behind the ear? If you have arthritis or other problems with manual dexterity, it’s important to mention this in your consultation. Tiny hearing aids might be difficult to insert and remove, so you might do better with slightly larger aids. You also might want to choose aids that have rechargeable batteries, so that you don’t need to manually open the tiny chamber to replace batteries.
Questions about Available Features
Gone are the days when all hearing aids looked and functioned alike. The latest hearing aids come with a variety of features and capabilities. Some of these might be of no interest to you, while others might be quite exciting. One of the remarkable innovations in hearing aid technology is Bluetooth connectivity. Not only does this connection enable you to stream media, music, podcasts, audiobooks, and videos directly to your devices, but it also allows you to connect your devices with apps on your smartphone. With this connection in place, you can change the settings on your hearing aids, including the frequency profile and volume.
Rather than fumbling with manual settings, this discreet way to make adjustments is an exciting innovation in hearing aid features. Feel free to ask about this and other new features that are available in your aids. If you know that a certain environment is difficult for hearing, such as when there is loud background noise, you might seek aids that can help reduce that sound.
If you remember a question after your consultation, don’t forget that you can always contact our offices for more information. We will be glad to provide you with the best answers we can and to point you to other resources that can help you make an informed decision about your hearing health.
