Top Questions to Ask Your Audiologist

Hearing loss is the third most common health issue in the United States. According to the CDC, nearly 36 million Americans have reported lost hearing. 

As your hearing goes, you will likely have an appointment with an audiologist. You should take a list of questions with you as it will be important for you to have a clear definition of what is ahead in your treatment.

The following questions were compiled from various hearing loss resources:

1. What type of hearing loss do I have?

2. Is it likely to get worse?

3. Would hearing instruments help me? What types are available?

4. How can I use my hearing to my best advantage?

5. What can I do to protect my hearing?

6. Are there precautions I should take in my daily activities (driving etc.)?

7. Are there techniques that I can use to compensate for my hearing loss (like speech reading)? Are there classes to enhance my skills?

8. Is there anything my family and friends can do in order to communicate better with me?

9. Could hearing loss be passed on to my children?

10.  Does diet or medication play a role in acquired hearing loss?
11. How much do hearing aids usually cost?
12. Why do hearing aids cost so much?

13. What can I do if I need hearing aids, but can’t afford them?

14. What is the difference between a hearing screening and a diagnostic hearing evaluation?

15. Are hearing aids tax deductible?

16. What type of batteries do hearing aids use?

17. What is the difference between an in the ear hearing aid and one that is on the outside of your ear?

18. What precautions should I take with a hearing aid?

19. How long will I have to wear a hearing aid?

20. Do I wear the hearing aid when I am sleeping?

21. What is an ear mold?

22. Can you wear a hearing aid in the shower?

23. When flying, do you take your hearing aid out?

24. Can a hearing aid work with a telephone?

25. How long do most hearing aids last before they need replacing?

26. If a hearing aid gets lost or broken, are they replaceable?

27. Will hearing instruments actually improve my ability to hear?

28. If I only have hearing loss in one ear, why should I wear two hearing aids?

29. Which hearing aid style will be best for my hearing loss?

30. Which digital features are indicated for my lifestyle needs?

31. What are the benefits of hearing aid features—such as directional microphones, number of microphones, automatic volume and others?

32. Can I operate all of the programs myself? (Do I have the vision and the manual dexterity to operate the hearing aid controls?)

33. How many channels do the hearing aids have? How many do I need?

34. Do the hearing aids I’m considering offer multiple or directional microphones for hearing in noise? 35. How many memories do the hearing aids have? How many listening situations do I encounter?