Common FAQs About Audiologists

There are some common questions out there that people who are dealing with hearing loss have about audiologists, particularly before they seek treatment. Everyone knows that an audiologist is someone who takes care of issues relating to hearing and hearing aids, but not many know what to ask their audiologist about their hearing. With that in mind, we’re going to have a look at some frequently asked questions about audiologists that often come up in conversation.

Why choose an audiologist?

When you have issues with your eyes, you see an eye specialist. When you have problems with your hearing, you’re not likely to go back to the same eye specialist and tell them about it. You would see an audiologist for your hearing health as they are professionals who have been specially trained in the treatment and diagnosis of hearing loss and hearing complaints. They undergo very lengthy, in-depth training and education to earn the degree that allows them to practice as an audiologist. With a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to their work, they are able to evaluate and diagnose your hearing loss.

What are the types of hearing loss?

Did you know that one in three people over 65 have hearing loss? There are three different types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive and mixed. If your hearing issues are sensorineural, it means the problem is with the inner ear or acoustic nerve. If the problem is conducive, it’s because of transmission disruption of the bones in the middle ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of external damage and inner ear damage.

What should my expectations be when it comes to hearing aids?

You should expect your hearing ability to improve – particularly in busy places with a lot of crowds. Background noise hearing is often worse, and softer speech should be much easier to hear. Loud speech shouldn’t impact you too much, and when your hearing aids are in your ears correctly, you won’t need to worry about feedback.

How do I know if I have hearing loss?

Hearing loss is different for everyone, but there are a set of symptoms that characterize hearing loss and – often – it’s a family member or friend who notices it first. Early signs of hearing loss include:

• Gradually turning the TV and radio up over and over again
• Finding it hard to understand someone talking in a busy place
• Finding it much harder to hear children than adults
• Ringing in the ears but no identifiable sound on the outside
• Having people repeat things over and over
• Difficulty trying to listen to those with low voices

If I think I’m losing my hearing, what should I do?

The very first thing that you should do is contact an audiologist and set up an appointment. You need to have your hearing assessed and determine whether the hearing loss requires treatment medically or not. They will also be able to identify the issue, diagnose, and treat it with you.