What to Expect During Your Visit to A Hearing Instrument Specialist

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, you might be unsure about where to start in getting a hearing aid or finding assistance with a hearing device. A hearing instrument specialist (HIS) is the expert you can turn to for guidance in understanding your hearing loss and discovering the most suitable solution to improve your hearing. They’re there to help you navigate the process and find the best possible solution tailored to your needs. Still, it’s normal to have a few questions about what might await you once you turn up for your appointment.

A Few Questions

A hearing instrument specialist will want to get a full picture of your overall health, lifestyle and more. So, before they get into the busy work of examining your ears, they’ll ask you a few questions about your medical background – for example, if you’re taking any medication – and your lifestyle, both of which may have an impact on your hearing. It’s helpful for a hearing instrument specialist to know if you work in a loud environment or have been exposed to loud noises. It’s important to remember to be completely honest in your answers; there are no right or wrong answers to these questions.

A Thorough Examination

Next, the hearing instrument specialist will perform a thorough examination of your ears. They’ll use special tools to closely inspect your ears, looking for any signs of injury or damage. After that, they’ll run you through a series of hearing tests. There are various components to this test, but there’s nothing to worry about – your hearing instrument specialist is just looking to see what your current level of hearing is at and the frequencies and pitches you can hear. Once they know your current hearing level, they’ll make recommendations for hearing aids.

Learning About Hearing Devices

If your hearing instrument specialist thinks that you would benefit from a hearing device, then they’ll run you through the different options available to you. There are various different hearing aids available like in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC) and you’ll have a choice, though your hearing instrument specialist will advise you about which option would be best for your specific profile.

Future Care

If your hearing instrument specialist determines that you don’t need a hearing aid at this stage, they’ll likely advise you on when you should schedule a checkup in the future. If you do need a hearing device, then you will be given an appointment to come back to have the device fitted. They’ll also run you through general guidance and tips on how best to use and care for your device.

It’s highly important to schedule regular hearing checkups even if you don’t think that you have hearing loss. Establishing a baseline is important for measuring and identifying any future loss. If you need hearing aids, then know that you’ll be in safe hands every step of the way. The journey towards improved hearing begins with your first visit to a hearing instrument specialist!