How to Prepare for Your Appointment with an Audiologist

Getting ready for your first visit to an audiologist may come with some feelings of uneasiness, as you are uncertain of what to expect. Several questions will flow in and out of your mind and cause you to become nervous and even tense, such as: how long will it last? What questions will they ask? What will you do if they discover you have hearing challenges? 

As valid as your questions may be, it is essential to put your mind at ease to help you make the most of your visit to the audiologist. The best way to do so is to prepare yourself adequately before your visit. Here are some things you should do before your appointment.

Prepare all your medical information

Your audiologist may want to know about your medical history; therefore, it is essential to make all those available when you get there. They may need a comprehensive view of your overall health to properly diagnose and determine if you have hearing loss, tinnitus or other forms of auditory issues. Your audiologist may also want to know what kind of medications you’re currently taking and medical advice you’re following for an extended amount of time. In addition to that, any information concerning the history of hearing loss in your family may be needed.

Plan ahead

Take time to plan your appointment ahead of time. Before booking your appointment, take time to find out which time and day best suits your schedule to prevent the possibility of cancelling one appointment after another. If you’re visiting your audiologist for the first time, it would be best if you familiarize yourself with the location. Give yourself more than enough time to get to the clinic and find a convenient parking spot. You should arrive at least ten minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment to give yourself enough time to fill out all the necessary paperwork and settle down before seeing your audiologist. Giving yourself enough time will also help you gather all the medical documents you need to take along. 

Prepare your questions

Your appointment with your audiologist offers a great opportunity to get all your questions answered and doubts cleared. If you have several questions concerning your hearing health, write them all down. Even if you can trust your memory, it is best to have your questions written down or typed out on your smartphone. The last thing you want is to forget your questions when you get there. 

Take your time with your questions and you will be surprised how accommodating your audiologist will be in answering them. Also, ensure that you pay close attention and understand every answer provided. 

Ask a family member or friend to come with you

If you still find yourself feeling nervous, apprehensive, or tense about your first visit to an audiologist, you can ask a family member, a friend or someone you trust to come along with you. Apart from offering company and helping ease your nerves, having someone around the appointment with your audiologist is a great idea, as they may pick up on noteworthy information you may miss. 

Do your research

Sometimes, it pays to take the time to do thorough research before your appointment with your audiologist. Doing this will help you know what to expect and keep you better prepared for your appointment. When conducting your research, look for information related to hearing loss, how it occurs and the treatments available. Also, take the time to look up the processes involved in testing, as this will help make you better prepared for your appointment. 

Although being better informed is important before your appointment, your research will also help bring up some new and vital questions you need to ask your audiologist. 

Consider what your needs are

If you’re already experiencing hearing loss or hearing-related issues, you might be anticipating the possibility of using hearing aids after your appointment with your audiologist. In this case, consider what your personal needs are. For example, do you prefer a hearing aid that is less bulky or visible from the outside, or are you mainly interested in a hearing aid that fits securely, is sturdy, and very difficult to lose? 

Depending on your lifestyle, you can get a hearing aid to suit you, instead of the other way. So, take the time to write down what your needs are and communicate them to your audiologist. 

To learn more about Portland Audiology Clinic, LLC, don’t hesitate to visit us or contact us today at (503) 227-3668.