Approximately 37.5 million U.S. adults have some degree of hearing loss. Treating hearing loss starts with a hearing evaluation. If you’ve noticed any changes to your hearing, or are looking to stay proactive with your hearing health, here’s what you can expect from our expert team at Sound Advice when you come in for your hearing evaluation.
Quick Tips for Before You Arrive
First, we have some recommendations for things to bring with you to your appointment:
- A notebook or note-taking app. At your hearing evaluation, you’re going to receive a lot of information; perhaps you’ll even make some decisions that day about your long-term hearing loss treatment plan. We recommend bringing note-taking equipment to help you remember what we discuss that day.
- A snack. Most hearing evaluations last between 60 to 90 minutes. It can feel like a long morning or afternoon, so bring a snack in case you need a quick pick-me-up.
- Important documents. You’ll need proof of identification and your insurance details. Bring your medical history as well; this includes any medications you’re currently taking and information about past surgeries or other medical conditions.
- Any questions you have. There will be time to ask us questions while you’re here. Make sure you take that opportunity and come prepared with any questions.
Additionally, you are allowed to bring a loved one with you. Having a familiar face in the clinic can boost your confidence, make you feel more comfortable and help you capture some of the information we mentioned. Also, they may be able to offer additional insights into your hearing loss.
Initial Discussion
Our audiologists want to get to know you and your hearing needs. To do this, your appointment will begin with an initial discussion where we talk about the symptoms you’ve noticed and listen to your concerns. We’ll also ask about your professional life, hobbies, lifestyle, social life, medical history and family medical history. We will use this information to gain a clearer understanding of your hearing needs and to identify possible causes and types of hearing loss.
Hearing Test
Next comes the quantitative assessment of your hearing ability. We do this with a pure-tone hearing test, as well as any other tests we may deem necessary. A pure-tone test is the most recognizable hearing test; this is the test where you sit in a soundproof room with headphones on, listening to beeps and raising your hand when you hear one. This test establishes your auditory threshold.
Other possible tests include:
- Bone conduction testing
- Speech testing
- Tympanometry
- Otoacoustic emissions
- Acoustic reflex testing
- Auditory brainstem response
Hearing Evaluation and Consultation
At this final step, we take all the information gathered during our initial discussion and during the hearing test and make a diagnosis on your hearing loss. We will explain your hearing loss, what you can hear and what you might struggle to hear, why that is and how we can treat it. We’ll also, if applicable, go over hearing aids or other assistive listening devices that will work best for treating your hearing loss.
Treating hearing loss is a partnership between you and your audiologist, and our main priority during your first appointment is to establish a solid relationship and set you up for hearing health success. If you’re ready to start the process with us, call us to schedule an appointment.