What to Expect at an Audiology Appointment

Hearing loss in both ears will affect more than one in eight Americans over the age of 12 during their lifetime, and a further 60,000 individuals will encounter single-ear hearing loss. These statistics mean it is likely that you might require an audiology appointment at some point in your life. 

We understand that any medical appointment can be intimidating, primarily if you have never attended one before. However, an audiologist will ensure that your audiology appointment is as comfortable as possible. Here is what to expect at an audiology appointment. 

Collecting information

The first thing an audiologist will do at your appointment will be collected information. They will take your name, age, gender, and ask general questions about your health. While these may not seem entirely relevant to you, an audiologist can use this information to narrow down potential reasons for hearing loss. 

By providing a clear picture of your medical history, your audiologist will accurately decide the next steps to take. Like with any medical appointment, it is crucial that you are honest with your answers, which will benefit you. With a more thorough idea of your current health level, your audiologist is capable of identifying potential lifestyle choices that might contribute to hearing loss. 

Perform hearing tests

After providing enough information, your audiologist will carry out several hearing tests. There are three primary tests that an audiologist will use to determine the cause and severity of your hearing loss. These are otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry. 

An otoscopy involves examining your ear canal. It checks for potential obstructions, like earwax, while also analyzing your eardrum, checking for damage or infection. The second test, tympanometry, checks the sensitivity of your eardrum. It will identify potential issues, such as fluid buildup or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Audiometry is the final stage of the hearing tests, and it measures which sounds you can hear at different pitches. The noises are soft, which gives the clearest indication of your current level of hearing loss. 

Checking results 

Once the test is finished, you will be able to view your results on an audiogram. Rather than rely on reams of paper, this helps you see your results in an easy-to-understand manner. Despite this, there may still be some aspects that are not entirely clear to you. In this instance, your audiologist can explain in greater detail. 

From your test results, the audiologist can determine what the next step of the procedure is. They can recommend the necessary treatment if the results demonstrate that you require it. Usually, this is fitting hearing aids. 

Like many medical accessories, hearing aids have vastly improved over the last few years, so you have a vast range of options to choose from. If the results indicate you do not need hearing aids, your audiologist will recommend ideas for you to prevent further experience with hearing problems or hearing loss. 

Fitting hearing aids

Your audiologist will present several types of hearing aids for you to use. The most common styles are in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE), and in the canal (ITC).
The type of hearing aid you choose will come down to several things. Most people go with a style that suits them, and this is usually discreet. Other factors that contribute to selecting a hearing aid include features and ease of use. 

Your hearing aid will not be fitted immediately. Instead, your audiologist will need to order the hearing aid and book a separate appointment. Here, they will provide all the information you need to learn how to use it and care for it correctly. 

Checkups and further services 

If you have already seen an audiologist to receive a test or fit hearing aids, you can also inquire about several other services they offer. These include general checkups, hearing aid repair, cleaning, and troubleshooting (if you cannot solve the problem yourself) and regular ear cleaning to solve mild hearing loss issues. 

These services make your audiologist a versatile professional capable of assisting with and even solving a wide range of hearing loss experiences. As they require either a Doctorate or a Master’s degree, you can trust that you are in safe hands when attending an appointment. 

Get in Touch Today 

If you believe you are experiencing hearing loss and want to book an audiology appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center and arrange a visit to one of our offices. You can contact the Tarentum office at (724) 409-4439, while those closer to the Vandergrift office can (724) 567-3233