If you suspect you’re developing hearing problems, a visit to an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist is in order. They will evaluate your hearing, identify any issues, and find the tools you need to function at your best. If you haven't visited an audiologist before, don't worry; the evaluation process is straightforward.

What to Expect From a Hearing Specialist

Hearing History

In addition to medications and surgeries, you'll be asked about any history of hearing loss in your family and environmental conditions or events that may have affected your hearing. This information helps your specialist determine potential causes for problems and decide what kind of help is likely to be effective.

Visual Inspection

Your audiologist then looks closely at your outer ear to see if there are signs of a physical problem. The cause of hearing loss is often as simple as earwax buildup; at other times, the issue is damage to the eardrum. 

Hearing Testing

Finally, your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist runs a few tests to evaluate your hearing. These examinations may consist of sound tests under various conditions and may include a physical tympanometry test to assess the status of your middle ear. This is where your audiologist identifies specific weaknesses in your hearing ability. At the end of your visit, your audiologist or other specialist consults with you about your test results and your options for hearing aids, if you need them.

Schedule your assessment with an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist today. If you're looking for a hearing healthcare provider in Elizabethtown, KY, contact Heartland Better Hearing Inc. Their experienced staff will help you find the hearing equipment you need to function in your everyday life. For questions or to schedule a visit, call (270) 735-9352. Visit them online to view their phones and hearing aid products.