3 FAQs to Ask Your Audiologist

Keeping your ears and general hearing in excellent health is a major priority, and regular visits to the audiologist are the best way to identify problems early and find the best possible treatments. Before visiting, though, it’s likely that you’ll have several questions that you wish to ask.

Here are three of the killer questions that you should ask at your next appointment.

What type of hearing loss do I have?

Examinations and tests may show that your hearing works as expected. If you do find that there is a problem, though, it’s important to seek a little more information about your exact case and condition. Aside from giving you better insight into your hearing health and the potential treatments, this knowledge will allow you to track future changes too.

Hearing loss can be classified as conductive, sensorineural or mixed while auditory processing disorders are another possible diagnosis. The audiologist will be able to determine the type and severity of hearing loss, and this information will go a long way to directing your next moves.

Furthermore, knowing which type of hearing loss you have may also allow you to locate the source of your problems. Whether it’s due to age and biology or continued exposure to loud working environments, understanding the root of those problems will be highly beneficial.

What are the different types of hearing aid devices?

If you do discover that your hearing loss could benefit from the use of hearing aids, it’s important that you allow the audiologist to find the best solution for your specific needs. Therefore, understanding a little information about the various options currently on the market is a crucial step en route to gaining the full rewards.

Hearing aids come in various styles including in the canal (ITC), in the ear (ITE), and behind the ear (BTE). Speaking to the audiologist about each of those options, as well as alternative products, is always the best route to take. With their support, making an informed decision for greater comfort and performance is easy.

There are many options out there while new features and technologies are added by the year. So, even if you already wear hearing aids, speaking to the audiologist to discover all possibilities is highly advised.

How can I keep my hearing aids in the best possible condition?

Hearing aids essentially perform the function of being your new ears. So, it’s pivotal that you treat them with the optimum level of care. After all, they are very delicate devices and can easily become broken or faulty if you fail to follow the right protocols.

The audiologist can teach you how to store your hearing aids in the best manner, clean them efficiently, and know which situations (such as showering) require you to remove the devices. This is also a great opportunity to ask about changing programs and volumes, just in case you ever accidentally alter the settings when using your device.

Even the simple issues such as changing the batteries enable you to make the devices last longer. In turn, this will save time and money while ensuring you receive the most consistent performance levels.