Preparing for your first audiologist visit can feel overwhelming. You may be nervous and unsure about what to expect or what your audiologist is going to say. This is perfectly normal!
Thankfully there are steps you can take to prepare for your appointment to help calm your nerves and improve your confidence for the day of your visit.
Write Down All Your Questions About Hearing Loss
Heading into your first appointment, you likely have lots of questions. It can be helpful to write them all down beforehand so that you don’t forget them during your visit.
If you’re unsure what to ask, the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends that you use the “Ask Me 3 Questions” method which includes:
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important for me to do this?
These three questions can help you better understand your hearing loss as well as the effects of your potential treatment options.
Think About Your Individual Hearing Struggles
Human beings are all unique and each person experiences their hearing loss slightly differently. Think about your particular struggles and the ways in which your hearing loss has most affected you. For example, you might struggle
- During phone conversations
- Work presentations
- When multiple people are talking at once
- When watching TV or movies
- Talking with your children or grandchildren
- Listening to music
- In restaurants or cafes with background noise, such as The Social Pub & Grill
Along with your audiological exam, this information can offer additional insight into your hearing loss and help your audiologist when developing a treatment plan.
Consider Additional Lifestyle Factors and Needs
It’s not just hearing-related information that can be helpful when determining what kind of hearing aids or other treatment plans will best address your hearing loss. Other lifestyle factors and individual needs are important considerations as well. These include
- Any chronic or serious medical conditions
- Medications or supplements you might take
- Activities you enjoy
- Fitness level
- Technology needs for work
- Living situation
Preparing all this information to have with you before the appointment will be incredibly helpful to your audiologist and should help calm your nerves a bit as well.
Also, if there’s anything you forgot to say or ask at your appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out afterward by phone or email to address your additional concerns.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact Today’s Hearing today.