Hearing Aid Evaluation

A hearing aid evaluation involves several steps. If you think you need a hearing aid, the first step is to have a hearing evaluation. During this evaluation, a case history will be taken to assess how your hearing issues affect your daily life and the lives of those around you. Detailed questions will be asked about when and how your hearing loss began, if you have ringing in your ears (tinnitus), and if you experience dizziness. You may also need to answer some basic questions about your overall health history.

The results from your hearing test will help the hearing care professional understand what sounds you might be missing or noticing, while your personal experiences and views on your hearing will provide valuable context for a thorough evaluation. If you qualify for hearing aids or if other medical issues need attention, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in ear disorders. This referral can often mark the initial step in the hearing aid evaluation process.

If your hearing test indicates a permanent hearing loss, a hearing aid might be suggested for one or both ears. Your hearing expert will discuss which sounds you are missing and how a hearing aid(s) can assist. During this visit, you will have the chance to see and feel various types of hearing aids. In some instances, you may even try out a hearing aid. Your hearing expert will guide you in selecting the most suitable hearing aid(s) style, features, and technology based on your level of hearing loss, daily activities, and budget.

Ultimately, the choice of which hearing aid(s) to buy is yours. Once you decide, the hearing expert may take impressions of your ears if you chose custom hearing aids or behind-the-ear models that need earmolds. Hearing aids are typically ordered from a manufacturer and then adjusted by your hearing expert to meet your specific hearing requirements. This process can take a couple of weeks, so please don’t be discouraged if you do not receive your hearing aids on the same day as your assessment.