If you’ve never seen an audiologist, you may wonder how to make the most of your first appointment. Typically, most people who schedule an audiology appointment are experiencing hearing loss. While not all hearing loss conditions are permanent, they all share a common trait: Damage to your inner ear. An audiologist can help you not only to understand the state of your hearing ability but also figure out how to correct the issue. Some cases require recovery time or the removal of physical obstructions in the middle ear or inner canal. However, more often than not, hearing loss needs an additional correction to amplify sounds and remove disturbing background noises. Your first appointment is the occasion to get to know each other and receive a professional opinion of your condition. As such, you may want to prepare questions to ask your audiologist. 

1. What happens if we do nothing?

Everybody needs a wakeup call. Asking your audiologist what would happen if you don’t act against hearing impairment can be the reality call you need. Indeed, the question can make you aware of potential risks in your lifestyle or professional life that you have been ignoring, such as the consequences of prolonged exposure to loud noises, for instance. Additionally, understanding the worst-case scenario can also help you to prepare. While there might be some hearing correction available for your situation, it’s important to know how your condition is likely to evolve with and without medical support. For most people, experiencing hearing loss can drive a lifestyle change to keep potential hearing health risks at bay. Gaining an understanding of what could or would happen can make you reconsider your priorities. 

2. What are the extra investments (in time) to consider with hearing aids?

Hearing aids are the most common form of treatment. However, you can’t benefit from hearing aids if you don’t understand the benefits they provide to you and how to properly care for them. Without proper care and maintenance, hearing aids can break as a result of prolonged wear and tear. If you decide to wear hearing aids, you need to be prepared to follow a regular maintenance routine to get the most out of them. Additionally, you can also discuss the different warranty options for long term care. Your audiologist can give you an idea of how long the typical hearing aids last so that you can decide for yourself the most suitable long-term maintenance approach. 

3. How long will my hearing aids last?

Hearing aids provide a wearable solution for your hearing loss issues. However, as mentioned above, hearing aids don’t last forever. Aside from the necessary maintenance care routine, every user needs to schedule regular hearing tests with their audiologist. Indeed, your hearing devices are programmed via a software tool to match your specific correction requirements. Unfortunately, the correction doesn’t prevent further hearing degradation, which means that users need to make sure their hearing aids continue to provide the correct amount of sound amplification. Therefore, your specific settings may need to be re-adjusted. Additionally, signs of wear and tear can also affect the settings, which means that your programmed hearing aids will need to evolve with you. 

4. What can I do to protect my hearing?

Your hearing health is affected by a variety of factors, including but not limited to old age. Indeed, the tiny hair cells inside your ear degrade gradually over time. While the aging process plays a significant role, there are also damaging risks to consider. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds without adequate ear protection, for instance, can damage your hearing. Additionally, health conditions such as diabetes or some viral infections can lead to damage to your inner ear, causing hearing loss. Understanding what you can do to minimize risks is an essential step to preserve your hearing. 

5. How do we correct my hearing loss?

An audiologist can help you to understand the best solution to correct hearing loss. Indeed, while a hearing aid fitting remains a popular approach, it isn’t the only method. Temporary hearing loss, for instance, can force you to take an auditory recovery break without the need for additional assistance. Your audiologist can also discuss with you the advantage of speech therapy and hearing caption assistance on everyday devices for severe hearing loss. 

Planning your first appointment with an audiologist can help you to regain one of your senses. However, you need to know what to ask to make the most of your appointment. Understanding your situation and the solutions that are available to address the hearing impairment is a life-changing experience.