What to Expect During Your First Visit to an Audiologist

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Audiologists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing issues. They advise people on the diagnosis and treatment for many common causes of hearing loss, such as meningitis, trauma or damage to the eardrum, or temporary hearing loss due to loud noise. This can result in tinnitus (ringing) in the ears. Audiologists also work with patients with a balance disorders such as vertigo and dizziness and how they might help those with cochlear implant surgery.

What to expect on your first visit?
If you’re a new patient, your Audiologist will ask you a few questions about your hearing and vision problems, such as the precise nature of your hearing problem. You may be asked to complete some self-assessment tests to help the Audiologist diagnose any medical conditions or health concerns that may be causing your hearing loss.

After examining your ears and eyes, the Audiologist will try to evaluate your hearing abilities through a series of tests. These tests measure your hearing loss and check how well you can hear various frequencies. As part of the hearing test, the Audiologist may ask you to repeat words and numbers they say or check how well you can hear soft sounds.

After testing your hearing with computerized equipment, the Audiologist may try to identify any underlying causes of your hearing loss with a visual testing device called an otoscope. Using an otoscope, the Audiologist examines the natural shape of your ear canal and looks for abnormalities blocking your hearing. The Audiologist may also check whether you have any earwax build-up inside your ears.

To help diagnose any medical condition causing your hearing loss, the Audiologist will also review other details about your health and lifestyle. This can include a complete examination of all body parts, including the eyes, nose, throat or sinuses. The Audiologist may ask you to perform some simple exercises while they examine some of your other body parts.

The Audiologist may also ask you to answer a few questions about your family history and review any medications, supplements or other treatments you’ve been taking. This can include pain medications that contain aspirin or ibuprofen. The Audiologist will also check how well it helps you hear if you’re using a hearing aid.

If you have any of the following medical conditions that may be causing your hearing loss, the Audiologist will immediately refer you to a medical doctor. This includes tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear pain, and dizziness.

Other things to expect on your first visit:
The Audiologist will also talk about how hearing loss may disrupt your life and how a hearing aid might help improve it. This can include using your hearing aid during conversations, in noisy places, driving, and at a live concert.

The Audiologist may also help you decide which type of hearing aid is right for you based on the information they gathered. They may also discuss if any surgery involves your hearing loss treatment. The Audiologist may also give you tips on improving your hearing using listening exercises.

After getting your diagnosis, the Audiologist can also offer counseling on ways to protect your hearing. This can include guidance on using ear protectors if you’re around loud noise for extended periods. It’s important to get the right protection for you, and if you’re going to an amusement park or a live concert, be sure to ask your Audiologist what type of ear protectors are most suitable.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]