During Hearing Health Awareness Month, the team wants to help as many people as possible address their suspected problems.
But often, they have worries about what they’ll experience during a hearing assessment, which prevents them from seeking assistance.
This is extremely natural.
Many people are used to attending clinical hospitals, where they take tests, causing them discomfort, and expect something similar.
The good news is the team at Aim Hearing & Audiology Services provides a warm, caring environment, where many receive life-changing diagnoses.
This is what happens during your first hearing assessment.
The welcoming committee
When you come for a hearing assessment at Aim Hearing & Audiology Services, you’ll be met by the team’s “welcoming committee.”
This is made up of Molly and Stella, our two specially trained therapy dogs, who love making friends with new patients.
They know exactly how to behave around a range of different people, but if you have any concerns about them, let us know.
Your specialist will then greet you and take you to their office, where you’ll begin your assessment.
Let’s find out about you!
The first step in the assessment is an introductory chat about your hearing loss concerns and the reasons why you felt it was time to address them.
Your specialist will also want to know about your medical history and whether members of your family have ever had a hearing loss.
This is crucial, as hearing loss, perhaps surprisingly, can be heredity – just like your eyesight.
Once the specialist feels they have all your relevant personal information, they’ll then progress to the next phase.
A visual inspection
It will now be essential to look inside your ears for any clear signs of hearing issues.
Your specialist will examine both the outer and inner parts of your ear, identifying any possible inflammation or swelling, which may highlight an infection.
Similarly, they’ll look for simpler problems, such as wax build-up or a foreign object in your ear canal, that may be reducing your hearing.
After this is complete, you’ll progress to the hearing exam.
“Listen for the beeps!”
The hearing examination is an element of the assessment that some might remember from their childhood.
You’ll sit in our sound booth and put on a pair of headphones, while your doctor of audiology takes you through a step-by-step process.
Initially, they’ll want to find out what is your overall hearing capacity – analyzing when you can and can’t hear sounds that decrease in volume over a given period.
Afterward, they’ll want to do a thorough assessment of how you process speech amid different background noises.
The results
After you’ve completed all your tests, your specialist will bring you back to their office to discuss the results and give you their diagnosis.
They’ll then create a personal plan with you so that you can find the best solution for your hearing.
For example, if they’ve found that you would benefit from a surgical procedure, they can offer you a referral to an ENT doctor.
In other cases, where you might be a great candidate for hearing aids, they can provide you with advice and fit you on the day if you’re ready to proceed.
Are you concerned about hearing loss or know someone who is? Contact the team at Aim Hearing and Audiology Services, and they’ll work with you to find a solution!
