What to Expect at Hearing Health Associates
Whether you've finally scheduled an appointment with an audiologist to examine your ears and hearing or are still a bit hesitant about it, we are here to make it a little less nerve-racking. We are sharing what you can expect when you visit us for an audiology appointment. In this article, we are breaking our process down into four simple steps.
STEP ONE: THE INTERVIEW
During the initial interview, you will get to meet your doctor. Our doctors are Douglas Cameron, Au.D. and Tammy Garber, Au.D. The purpose of this step is for us to understand the extent of your problem, uncover any specific areas requiring further attention, and discuss the next steps toward a solution.
To prepare yourself for the interview, here are some questions we might ask:
Has anyone else in your family had hearing difficulty?
Have you had any illnesses or injuries that might have affected your hearing?
Have you taken any medications that might have affected your hearing?
Have you been exposed to loud noises in your job or leisure activities?
It may be helpful to review your hearing health and medical history before your appointment.
STEP TWO: THE EXAMINATION
A quick and painless examination will be the next step. Here we can determine whether the issues you are experiencing could be caused by an obstruction or damage to the ear canal or eardrum, like earwax. We use a special instrument called an otoscope to inspect the outer ear.
STEP THREE: TESTING
Depending on your needs, there are three different types of tests that the audiologist will perform. The tests don't hurt, and you need to do nothing to prepare for the tests.
Audiometric pure tone evaluation to measure your hearing at different frequencies.
Speech evaluation to measure how well you hear and understand ordinary conversation at different volumes.
Immittance middle-ear evaluation to measure how your eardrum and hearing react to varying degrees of air pressure.
After your test, we will meet with you to assess your result and discuss the best treatment options for you.
STEP FOUR: TREATMENT OPTIONS
There are a few different treatment options.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in various designs, with a wide range of functions and features to address an individual's specific needs. We carry all brands with many different colors and features, so there are many choices if we determine that you need a hearing aid! If you are worried about cosmetic concerns, we understand entirely. The good news is that most of the hearing aids today are small enough to be virtually invisible!
Surgery and Implants
If you or your child are deaf or have a profound hearing loss that hearing aids can't address, surgery and implants may be necessary.
A few examples include:
Cochlear Implants
Middle Ear Implants
Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems
Auditory Brainstem Implants
We will work with you to determine the appropriate solution and refer you to a local Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to ensure you are in good hands. We also will be with you every step of the way!
Assistive Listening Devices
When a patient has a hearing loss, sometimes an assistive listening device (ALD) is required in addition to or instead of a hearing aid. ALDs can be amplified telephones, TV enhancers, visual smoke and doorbell alarms, and a variety of other items designed to keep the hearing impaired in touch with their environment. We have a number of these items in our office that we can demonstrate. We also carry the latest in ALD devices.
Have other questions about hearing health or our process? Check out our other blog posts and follow our Roanoke and Crozet Facebook pages! To schedule an appointment with one of our offices, click here.
