Preparing for Your Audiology Visit

What to Know Before Your Visit

Collect Health and Lifestyle Information

Your audiologist will need to learn about your hearing and health. During your visit, they will check your hearing and/or balance and ask questions. Here are some examples:

For Adults

About hearing changes:

• Have you noticed problems with your hearing? What are the problems? How long have you had them?
• Do you have problems hearing in one ear or in both ears?
• Did your hearing change suddenly or over time?
• Do you hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in your ears?

About ear health or balance:

• Have you had any ear infections? If yes, how many?
• Do you have pain in your ears? Do you have any drainage from your ears?
• Do you ever feel dizzy?

About daily living:

• Do people tell you that your TV is too loud?
• Do people say that you speak too loudly or too softly?
• Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
• Are there times when you have more trouble hearing—such as in a car, restaurant, or theater, or in large groups?

About noise exposure:

• Have you served in the military?
• Do you participate in loud activities, like playing in a band or shooting guns?
• Have you worked in places that are very loud and noisy?

For Children

When visiting an audiologist with your child for the first time, you may wonder what the audiologist will ask. You can expect questions about the following topics:

• health history

• pregnancy and birth history

• how your child responds to familiar sounds

• whether sudden loud noises cause your child to react

• your child’s past hearing concerns and/or test results

• how your child’s speech and language skills are developing

• how your child’s movement abilities and thinking skills are developing

Arriving Prepared

In addition to preparing for your audiologist’s questions, you can get ready for your visit by doing the following activities:

• Write down a list of your questions.
• Make a list of your symptoms and hearing concerns. Note those times when hearing is the hardest for you.
• Check your insurance coverage to understand what is included in your plan.
• Bring a list of any medicines you take—including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal. Some medicines can affect speech and hearing.

On the day of your appointment:

• You may want to take notes. Bring paper and a pen.
• Bring someone with you to ask questions and help you remember what your audiologist says.
• If you need an interpreter during your visit, let the office staff know as early as possible before your visit. It may take some time to arrange an interpreter.

Learn About Hearing Aids and Other Options

Hearing aids and other devices come with various features. Learn about the many options and think about your preferences and needs. This allows you to prepare yourself and to write down your questions or concerns. Then, keep an open mind to your audiologist's suggestions.

Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Insurance plans cover different hearing services and devices. Before your visit, check your benefits to learn what is and is not covered. This will help you avoid surprising costs later.

Before you see an audiologist, be sure to ask whether you need a physician’s referral. Medicare and Medicaid have their own requirements.

Worried about the cost? Don’t let that stop you from getting help. Some programs can help pay for hearing devices and services for children and adults. More information about how to get help paying for your care is available.

Make the Most of Your Appointment

Here are some tips to better understand what your audiologist tells you:

• Ask your audiologist three questions:
  • What is my main hearing-related problem?
  • What do you recommend that I do?
  • Why is it important for me to do this?
• Ask the questions you wrote down before your visit.
• Take notes. Or, have the person with you take notes. You can ask if it is OK for you to record the visit, so you can listen again later.
• Ask your audiologist to write down any words you don’t understand.
• Find out how you can contact the audiologist if you have further questions.

To find an audiologist near you, visit ProFind.

Resources

Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement.

• National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management: Hearing Aid Loaner Bank Programs