What Happens During an Audiologist Appointment?

So, you’re worried you may have hearing loss and you’re starting to do something about it. You’ve arranged an appointment with an audiologist in your area, however, you’re not sure what to expect at your first appointment.

To start with, a visit to the audiologist is nothing to worry about! An audiologist is a trained professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, treating and managing issues related to hearing, balance disorders and tinnitus. You should consider an audiologist to be your go-to person for all your hearing loss needs. But, just in case you are a little bit nervous, here is what you can expect from your appointment with an audiologist. 

Background information

Just like with other healthcare professionals, meeting with an audiologist for the first time will include several formalities and paperwork. They will get to know you by looking at things like your medical history, including complaints and symptoms, this is to help create a complete picture of your hearing health. 

If you have several questions or are nervous, it might be a good idea to take someone with you, it could be a close friend or a relative. They will then be able to sit back and take in the information to help you recap after the appointment. 

They will also be able to help you to communicate with the audiologist, whether it’s reminding you of symptoms that you need to make them aware of or listening closely when you are finding it difficult to catch everything. If you’re looking for moral support, this is the best thing that you can do. A great way to make sure you don’t miss anything from your appointment is to ask them to take a notebook and pen and jot everything down that is discussed. 

Hearing tests

Your appointment with your audiologist will also include some tests. There are usually three types of tests that they will perform: otoscopy, tympanometry and audiometry. 

Otoscopy 

During an otoscopy test, the audiologist will look at your ear canal using an instrument called an otoscope. They will be looking for any obstructions in your canal such as earwax buildup. They will also check for any problems that are obvious with your eardrum and ear canal, such as a picture, infection or burst eardrum. 

Tympanometry 

A tympanometry test involves applying light pressure on your eardrum to see how it responds. The test can detect things like fluid, infection or eustachian tube dysfunction that would inhibit motion in the eardrum. These are all quite common causes of hearing loss. 

Audiometry 

This is a test that measures the softest sound that you are able to hear in a range of different pitches. It’s the most common type of hearing test and is used to monitor people’s hearing and also set hearing devices to the correct levels. 

Getting the results from your tests 

The results from any hearing tests you have will be displayed and charted on an audiogram. Your audiologist will look over the findings with you and be able to recommend the right kind treatment needed if any. 

The most common type of treatment for hearing loss is normally hearing aids. There are several different technologies and styles available. Your audiologist will be able to guide you through all the important considerations to make when selecting the right ones for you and your level of hearing loss. 

Fitting your hearing aids

Once you have completed your hearing tests and seen your audiologist for the results, you will need to select your hearing aids. It can take a little time for them to calibrated and personalized. However, in some situations, you may get them on the same day. 

However, if you are having earmolds that are custom to your ears then you will need to wait for these to come back before you can use your aids. The appointment where you have your hearing aids fitted will be where your audiologists show you how to maintain your devices and know how to use them properly. As well as this, they will make sure they fit your ears properly. 

Other services

As well as all the above, audiologists also prove a plethora of other services, these include cleaning, hearing aid repair and maintenance, tinnitus treatments and more. 

If you’re worried about hearing levels and feel like you need an appointment with an audiologist in your area. Don’t hesitate to contact The Hearing Clinic at Woodlake and learn more by calling us today at (612) 246-4868.