Hearing test

Consultation with your hearing care professional: what to expect

Last updated on:

Reading time: 3 mins

Author: EarPros team

Doctor measuring patient's hearing level

The first step in taking care of your hearing is to book an appointment or request a callback with a licensed hearing care professional. During your consultation, you can ask questions about your treatment options, including which type of hearing aids might work best for you.

Old woman smiling while holding a tablet

Discover more about your hearing health

Visit our blog to stay updated with the latest news about hearing health.

Visit our blog

Will my hearing consultation include a hearing test?

While hearing consultations and hearing tests refer to different things, your consultation will almost certainly include a hearing test. Along with a hearing test, your consultation will also include a chance for you to discuss your hearing concerns with a licensed professional, who will ask you questions to determine which hearing tests and treatment options are best suited to your specific symptoms.

How much does an audiological visit cost?

At EarPros, hearing check-ups are an essential service we offer for free. We believe that regular hearing checks are crucial for maintaining good hearing health and ensuring that hearing aids are always suitable and functioning optimally. Our free visit allows for the timely identification of any changes in hearing and the updating of hearing solutions based on your current needs.

30 minutes

hearing consultations range from 30 minutes to 1 hour

Be prepared for your hearing consultation

Adjusting to a new hearing aid begins with an initial consultation with an audiologist, which is crucial. Audiologists play a vital role in the fitting process. Their qualifications, experience, and personalized approach contribute to successful outcomes and improved quality of life for those with hearing loss. Key tasks of an audiologist include:

Comprehensive Assessment: Audiologists conduct thorough evaluations of a patient’s hearing abilities, considering their specific needs and lifestyle. Through tests like pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry, they determine the degree and nature of hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Selection: Based on the assessment results, audiologists use their extensive knowledge of hearing aid technology to recommend the most suitable devices. They consider factors like the degree of hearing loss, communication needs, and personal preferences.
Customization and Programming: Audiologists personalize hearing aids to meet the specific needs of each patient, adjusting settings such as volume, frequency response, and noise reduction to optimize performance and comfort.
Verification and Fine-Tuning: After the initial fitting, audiologists verify the effectiveness of the hearing aids using real-ear measurements. This ensures the devices provide appropriate amplification based on the unique characteristics of the individual’s ear canal. They also work closely with patients to fine-tune the devices, making necessary adjustments to address any concerns or difficulties.

How long does a hearing consultation last?

A hearing consultation may last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your medical history and the questions you need answering. Consultations are usually informal, “get to know you” information-gathering meetings that put you at ease with your hearing care professional.

What information should I bring there?

Your hearing care professional will take your medical history during the consultation, but that’s only part of the information he or she needs. Talk to them about your life, with an emphasis on how hearing loss symptoms affect your social life and activities. Does your work or private life bring you into contact with loud noises, or do you live a quietly for the most part? This information helps the hearing care professional build a profile of you to help guide treatment.

Take the opportunity to ask any other questions about hearing loss treatment, including which types of hearing aids you may need, their cost, and other treatment options. You may want to make a list of questions to ask to make sure you get all the answers you want.

Elderly man with hearing aids touching his ear

How to adjust to a new hearing aid?

Adjusting to a new hearing aid is a gradual process. It might take some time to get used to the new sounds, and it could take a few months for your hearing to fully adapt.

Discover hearing aids fitting

What will the licensed hearing care professional do?

Your hearing care professional will provide you with an explanation of how the ear works, so you can better understand what might be causing your hearing loss and how various treatment options may help. He will check your ears with an otoscope to check for signs of ear infection, excess ear wax, or blockages that could account for your hearing loss symptoms. Depending on the office, you may have the opportunity to try a set of hearing aids to see how they affect your hearing.

The next steps: follow-up appointments

Follow-up appointments are essential for the long-term success of hearing aid adaptation. They allow hearing care professionals to monitor patient progress, make treatment adjustments, and address any new concerns. The benefits include:

Continuity and Optimization: These appointments ensure consistent care and allow for adjustments to treatments based on the patient’s journey.
Early Detection: Regular check-ups can identify potential issues early, ensuring timely interventions and better outcomes.
Monitoring and Adjustments: These sessions evaluate the effectiveness of treatment through objective measures such as tests and patient feedback.
Collaboration and Decision-Making: Involving patients in shared decision-making during follow-ups provides insights into their experiences and preferences.
Addressing Concerns: These meetings offer patients the opportunity to express any issues, requiring hearing care professionals to listen actively and adopt a problem-solving approach.