The Best Questions to Ask Your Audiologist

If you are visiting an audiologist for the first time, it can be an overwhelming experience. Knowing how best to approach the appointment, what to expect during it and what happens going forward can bring many questions. Your audiologist is trained in all aspects of hearing care and is qualified to assist you with any hearing loss questions you might have for them.

But what type of questions do you need to ask, and what do you need to know about having hearing aids fitted and hearing loss in general? This post looks at some of the best questions to ask your new audiologist.

What type of hearing loss do I have?

The type of hearing loss you have will determine your next steps, so asking your audiologist about the hearing loss you have can be informative. There are three types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural hearing loss: This type of hearing loss is when there is damage to the inner ear and nerve pathways. This hearing loss is typically permanent and can be treated with hearing aids.
• Conductive hearing loss: Is usually temporary and is due to a blockage in the ear such as an ear infection, ear wax build-up, allergies, or a tumor. The hearing will likely be resolved once this has been addressed.
• Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

What is causing my hearing loss?

Knowing how you have lost your hearing can be instrumental in approaching all aspects of hearing care in the future. Should your hearing have been damaged due to environmental factors such as loud noises, you can take the proper steps to avoid further loss. If your audiologist identifies hearing loss as due to an illness or blockage, they will refer you back to your doctor for treatment to resolve this problem.

Do I need a hearing aid?

Upon conducting hearing tests, your audiologist will be able to determine if you need hearing aids or not. This can indicate if you require the use of hearing devices or not. Not everyone will need them, but asking this question can help you to understand the level of hearing loss you have and how best to restore the hearing where possible.

What type of hearing aid is best for me?

Your lifestyle and level of hearing loss, along with style preferences, can dictate the best type of hearing aid for your lifestyle. Your audiologist will be able to advise you based on answering some questions. Once they know more about you, they can determine the correct type of hearing aid before you make a decision. The most commonly recommended hearing aids include:

• In the ear (ITE)
• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the canal (ITC)
• Invisible in canal (IIC)
• Completely in canal (CIC)

Be prepared for your appointment by compiling a list of questions to ask upon your first visit, so you know exactly what is happening and what to expect.