If you have never had an audiology assessment before, it’s normal to feel a little unsure about what to expect. The vast majority of people who visit an Audiologist have been referred by either a doctor or a specialist for suspected hearing aid problems. There are a range of key points to remember when visiting an Audiologist that may put you at ease.
Talk with your Family or Friends about it
Before scheduling your appointment, check in with family or friends that are happy, satisfied wearers of hearing aids. Find out where they experienced the most success with their appointments and their experiences. This may assist in choosing the right hearing aid clinic for you.
Search the internet for local hearing aid clinics
Finding a hearing aid clinic that are miles away offers no benefit to you. Visit websites for local hearing aid clinics, reading some of the content, and judge whether it resonates with you. Does it seem real or “canned”? Is it current information? If you get a feel that the clinic you are researching is genuine in their willingness to help, they likely are. If the content is more self-promoting and sales-oriented, they may just be looking to make a buck or trying to tie you into some sort of sales plan that isn’t relevant to your needs.
Make a surprise walk-in visit to your hearing aid clinic
Why you want to make an unscheduled appearance at your chosen hearing aid clinic is to judge the feel of the clinic. Making that initial contact, whether it is positive or negative, will give you a better indication on if a hearing aid clinic is right for you. A brief surprise walk-in visit will tell you if it’s welcoming, accessible, professional, and a business you want to invest your trust, time, and finances in.
Book an appointment to see an ‘Audiologist’
When you’re booking your initial appointment, ask whether the Audiologist or owner will be conducting the assessment. Any hesitation with this question would lead me to believe an assistant, or a student may be performing the testing. An Audiologist will give you the best care possible from an expert mind in the hearing healthcare profession. It also promises a level of certification. If the office manager you speak with books an appointment within a reasonable amount of time – let’s say, within one month (or sooner if there is an urgent request) – and does so with an Audiologist, that would solidify your next step to booking the appointment.
What to expect with your Audiology appointment…
Should you choose to invest your time in an appointment with Schneiker Audiology, on the day of, you will fill out a little bit of paperwork and case history info. Then, you will spend up to an hour and a half with our Doctor of Audiology, Kathleen. Throughout this sixty to ninety minutes, all diagnostic hearing assessments will be conducted followed by extensive explanations of the test results and recommendations moving forward. This series of tests will be used to determine whether there is hearing loss, the cause of that hearing loss, the degree and configuration of hearing loss in one or both ears, and the best treatment options possible.
It is important to keep in mind that your hearing healthcare and your hearing aids’ performance should only be attended to by a hearing healthcare professional, such as a Doctor of Audiology or a Hearing Instrument Specialist. All of the specialist at Schneiker Audiology are highly trained professionals who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and managing issues related to hearing. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment or don’t hesitate to stop in for a surprise visit!