Having questions with you will help you stay organized during the appointment and help to make certain you don’t forget to ask something you planned to find out.
When you go to any health care professional, it is important to be prepared before the appointment. Write down possible questions you have. They might focus on treatment, length of treatment and possible outcomes. Having questions with you will help you stay organized during the appointment and help to make certain you don’t forget to ask something you planned to find out. Next, be prepared to write down the answers. It is difficult to remember what someone is telling you, especially if you are stressed or not feeling well. If you don’t want to write down what is said, take a friend or family member who is willing to do it for you. Two heads listening during an appointment is much better than just one!
As an audiologist, I hear many questions about hearing and balance. I am pleasantly surprised when someone comes to an appointment with pen and paper in hand. It shows me that the individual is prepared and attentive and, usually, the appointment has a better outcome. I am able to explain more and I know that the individual will review what was said during the appointment. That reduces confusion.
Here are some of the most common questions I hear during appointments.
Do I have a hearing loss?
Once a hearing evaluation is completed, the audiologist will help you understand the results of the test. Most of us understand that the lingo used will be foreign, so we try to use language that is more commonly heard. We expect a person to ask for clarification if they need it. Don’t be shy! You are paying to have someone who has extensive training in a subject bring the information to you in a way you can use. You will be told if the hearing loss is in one or both ears and what amount of decrease in hearing you have compared to a standardized norm.
Is the hearing loss permanent?
This is a wonderful question to ask. The audiologist will be able to tell you if the hearing loss is from permanent damage to your hearing nerve or if it is caused by a temporary issue with the middle ear. The testing process is designed to do just that. In addition to hearing test results, we need a list of current medications to note if any might be compounding your hearing difficulty. If you have had a previous hearing evaluation, it is good to bring a copy of the test to compare to the current results. We will help you understand if the hearing difficulty is progressive or something that will resolve on its own, or needs the intervention of medication or surgery. We need to understand your family history of hearing loss, noise exposure, significant illnesses or chronic illnesses, when the hearing difficulty began and how the hearing issue affects you.
Do I need hearing aids?
To answer this question, the audiologist will use the test results and the answers to questions about the difficulty you have hearing friends and family, music or TV, etc. The audiologist will explain to you if your hearing loss can be treated medically or make a recommendation to see an ear surgeon. If medical intervention is not recommended, then hearing aids are an option.
Do I have to get hearing aids?
During the visit you will be offered a variety of treatments. Hearing aids are one option. The decision to wear hearing aids is based on the difficulty you have hearing the things that are important to you. If you are not ready to do anything about the hearing loss, explain that to the audiologist. We will give you a list of things to watch for and recommend a yearly hearing examination to document the progression of the loss. The brain likes to be stimulated with sound to maintain proper skills, so to speak. Because of this, it is important to continue exposing yourself to sound, so if later you decide to try out hearing aids, your brain will jump on board. Hearing is not just an ear thing; it is a brain and ear thing! FBN
By Karon Lynn, Au.D.
Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.
Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. She may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.
