Have you recently noticed a difference in your hearing? Perhaps you are finding that you have to adjust the volume when listening to music or watching television. Or, maybe you are finding it more of a challenge to follow conversations, especially if you are in a location with background noise, such as a restaurant or bar. 

These changes to your hearing may seem subtle at first, but they can progress over a period of time. When you begin noticing changes in your hearing, it is a wise idea to schedule a consultation with an audiologist. Detecting hearing loss early can help to slow down its progression.

An audiologist will be able to address any concerns you may have about your hearing. Your audiologist will carry out a hearing exam at your consultation to assess whether you are experiencing hearing loss. If a degree of hearing loss is detected, your audiologist will be able to evaluate the type of hearing loss you are experiencing. 

Your audiologist will also assess the level of hearing loss and its severity from mild-to-severe. Based on the results of your hearing examination, your audiologist will recommend whether hearing aids could be beneficial for you, and if so, which type or style may best suit your needs. 

Vising an audiologist and getting your hearing assessed is an essential first step in taking care of your hearing. Before you do this, you will need to locate an audiologist. Here are three ways that you can locate an audiologist:

Internet

The internet is the first place many people go to search for a product or service nowadays. Searching online provides a helpful way to start your search for an audiologist in your area. Don’t forget to check that the audiologists you find are reputable and qualified before you schedule an appointment. 

Your hearing deserves the very best care and attention, so you can’t leave choosing an audiologist to chance. When looking online for an audiologist, you may want to look for verified reviews and testimonials from their patients to help you get an idea of their standard of care. It is also helpful to check that the audiologist has the correct qualifications to look after your hearing.

Friends and family

Of course, the internet is not the only way to find an audiologist. Word of mouth and personal recommendations from family and friends are also helpful ways to locate an audiologist. 

Before you schedule your consultation with just any audiologist, you may find it helpful to check with friends and family members and see if they have visited an audiologist recently. If so, you could check if they were impressed with the standard of care and service they received. If they rated their experience highly, you might want to ask them which audiologist they visited and where they are located. You may decide to schedule a consultation with the audiologist based on their recommendations. 

Physician referral

Your physician is likely to be your first point of contact for any general health concerns you are experiencing. However, if you notice changes in your hearing, your primary care physician is likely to refer you to an audiologist. 

Receiving a referral to an audiologist by your physician can be a helpful way to locate an audiologist quickly. When your physician supplies you with a referral, a lot of the effort of finding an audiologist is removed and you can focus on scheduling your consultation and having your hearing examined.

As you can see, there is more than one way to find an audiologist. Whether you decide to search online, ask family and friends for recommendations or get a physician’s referral, you always need to be sure that you are choosing the best audiologist to take care of your hearing health. 

Once you have located an audiologist, don’t forget to check that they are qualified and licensed. Don’t forget to check out their testimonials, too, so that you can see what their patients have to say about them. Once you are satisfied you have found the best audiologist for your needs, you just need to schedule your consultation.

Contact Portland Audiology Clinic LLC

If you are looking for an audiologist who offers professional healthcare for your hearing, we can help. At Portland Audiology Clinic LLC, we are proud to offer our patients a high standard of service and compassionate care. Contact us today at (503) 227-3668 to learn more about how we can help you with all your hearing health needs.