Who do I see when I've got hearing loss?
Have you been dealing with hearing loss for some time now and are ready to book a hearing assessment? (Good for you - being proactive about your hearing health will go a long way towards your overall health and wellness.) The first thing you need to do is identify a local hearing professional that that undertake a full hearing consultation and talk you through the process. However, it can be helpful to know what to expect when you visit your local hearing professional. So here is some information to give you a general idea of what you can expect during a full hearing assessment.
You’ll be asked to complete intake forms
As with any healthcare appointment, you will likely have some paperwork to complete when you arrive. Hearing care professionals are trained to not only assess your hearing but determine if your hearing concerns may be caused by a underlying medical condition. If there is a suspected medical condition, they can refer you to a medical professional when appropriate.
Much of the information hearing professionals need to make that determination will be acquired through the paperwork you complete when you check in. Completing it to the best of your ability will help the hearing care provider give you the best care possible. You may be asked to provide the following information on your intake form:
- Medical history – There are several medical conditions that seem completely unrelated to your ears but, in fact, could be linked. For example, people who have undergone certain chemotherapies for cancer are at higher risk for hearing loss. Answering questions about your medical history will help identify potential causes of your hearing loss, even if you weren’t aware of the connection.
- Medications (including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements) — You would be amazed at the number of drugs and supplements that can cause hearing loss or other ear-related symptoms. Your hearing professional can help rule out any medications that cause hearing loss.
- Ear-related symptoms and history – The hearing professional will definitely want to know if you’ve had past ear-related issues, such as ringing in your ears, or tinnitus, pain, previous exposure to loud sounds, history of ear infections, or previous ear surgeries.
- Your hearing concerns – It’s important for you to describe any hearing difficulties you’re having and in which situations or environments they occur. Your hearing care provider will learn a great deal from your test results, but no two people with the same hearing test results are alike. Let them know if you sometimes have trouble at work, on the phone, while in church or at social gatherings in noisy environments.
Your ears will be visually inspected
Your hearing healthcare professional will generally start by looking into your ears with a handheld scope, called an otoscope. They are looking for any signs of abnormalities or medical conditions that could be contributing to your hearing loss. In addition, it’s possible you simply have a buildup of earwax that could be contributing to your hearing problem or may prevent accurate measurement of your hearing.
You will have a full hearing test
The main event! The testing procedure may vary between clinics and depending on your particular hearing issues and concerns. For that reason, don’t be surprised if your hearing assessment differs from a friend’s who told you about their hearing test experience. Testing may include:
- A pressure test to check the flexibility of your eardrum (and its ability to transmit sound)
- A tone test to measure how softly you can hear tones of different pitches (which will be charted on an audiogram)
- A speech test where you are asked to repeat words and/or sentences you hear at different levels
You’ll discuss the results of your hearing test
After testing, the hearing care professional will discuss your results and make recommendations for next steps. He or she may make a medical referral to your GP or ENT specialist. If a hearing loss that doesn’t require further evaluation is revealed, it might be recommended that you consider hearing aids or other assistive devices. Additional discussion of your hearing aid options may take place right away or may require a second appointment. If you have 'normal' hearing, your hearing care professional may also recommend a re-evaluation. Based on hearing test frequency, when will this take place? I will be recommended that you have a further hearing consultation in a year if you feel that your hearing has deteriorated in this time.
Annual hearing tests should be part of every adult’s health regimen
Depending on the results of testing, you should expect your hearing appointment to last approximately an hour. Your hearing is linked to so many things that impact your quality of life — including your career, relationships, physical and mental health, and more — so it’s important to be proactive, thorough and treat any hearing loss before it turns into something bigger.
Find a hearing professional near you and schedule your hearing appointment today!