There are many people out there who accept hearing loss as a regular part of life. Of course, hearing loss is common with age, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect millions of people from birth to seniority. Hearing loss can be caught as early as at birth, but if you suspect that you are losing your hearing at any stage in life, you can speak to an audiologist who can thoroughly test your hearing. If you or someone you love are finding their hearing difficult, then booking an appointment with an audiologist will help.

Understanding when to see an audiologist, who is an expert in hearing and all things related to the ear, is important and we’re going to cover that below.

What Is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is an expert who specializes in the ear. They are licensed professionals who are able to evaluate and diagnose disorders of the ears. Almost all audiologists earn a specific doctor of audiology and that takes around eight years of clinical training and education. Audiologists are qualified to work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics, to ear, nose and throat clinics, private practices and residential care facilities.

When Should You See an Audiologist?

It doesn’t matter your age, if you are concerned about your hearing, you should speak to an audiologist as soon as possible. It’s recommended that you should have your hearing checked every ten years until you turn 50, and then every three years after that. It’s smart to have a baseline hearing evaluation done when you reach a senior age, and hearing does change over time so regular tests will help you to ascertain the extent of your hearing loss.

What Happens During the First Appointment?

When you go to speak to an audiologist, you will be taken through your medical history. They’ll talk about medications, how you live your life and what your job is – all of these things will be discussed in your first appointment. Next, you’ll have a range of hearing tests depending on the hearing issues you’re experiencing. These are painless, and audiologists will be able to check both the external and internal structures of your ears to ensure that you are getting the best possible hearing support.

They can identify if the issue is something simple like a buildup of earwax, or a more in-depth neurological problem. Once you have had your tests and you’ve gone through your entire history, you’ll then have a moment to go over the results properly. If the results show your hearing loss they’ll then work with you on a treatment plan.

Hearing aids may be recommended, and you’ll then be able to decide which ones will be best for you. You’ll get a full hearing aid demonstration of the range of hearing aid types and they’ll talk you through what it’s like to use hearing aids and how to keep them clean and keep the battery working. Speaking to your audiologist is important!