Talk to Your Audiologist

Do you give your hearing health the attention it deserves?

If you are aware of problems with your ability to hear well, then doing nothing isn’t going to resolve the issue. Your first step to better hearing is to book an appointment with an audiologist in order to investigate the problem.

In order to get the most out of the visit, it helps to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve when you schedule an appointment. This may sound obvious, but drill down and consider your individual needs as dictated by your lifestyle and hobbies.

The idea is to play an active part in getting the hearing health you desire. Think about the factors and questions that are important to you, and write them down. Remember, audiologists love questions because it helps them to do the best job possible. Your audiologist wants to understand your hearing problems fully so they can find the perfect solution. The more information they have, the better able they are to do this.

For example, it might be that you are part of a Bible study group but struggle to keep up in group discussions. Or perhaps you are an avid swimmer and find it difficult to hear what’s going on around you in the pool. These are two specific situations that have need different solutions. However, the audiologist can only find that answer if they are aware of the question in the first instance.

You may find it helpful to create a list of questions before hand, so what you want to know is clear.  A starting point is to ask:

• What is the nature of my hearing loss?
• What needs to be done to correct it?
• What is this advisable?
• How much will it cost?
• What ongoing costs are involved?

By having this simple outline in place you will feel less pressured during the exam and will be more likely to get all the points addressed.

It is also helpful to provide the audiologist with as much relevant information about your health and hobbies as you can. For example, if you are on medications, make a note of them or bring them along to the appointment.  Take along a copy of your medical notes from other physicians. Both of these points help the audiologist to understand if there may be a medical reason that is affecting your hearing health.

Make a note of the situations in which you find it especially difficult to hear, such as in group situations, in a noisy environment, or when a speaker talks softly. In addition, be prepared to share your interests and hobbies with the audiologist so they understand the situations in which you need to hear clearly.

In short, talk openly to your audiologist and have clear goals in mind. The more information you give, the better placed the audiologist is to help.