Hearing loss can impact your emotional and physical well-being if untreated. Unfortunately, it affects many people. For example, a recent study revealed at least 15% of adults in the United States have hearing issues. If you think you have hearing loss, consulting an audiologist for evaluation and recommendation is the best thing to do. In this post, you’ll discover some critical questions you may want to ask your audiologist during the consultation.

What’s my hearing loss’s cause?

While some people may have hearing loss from birth, it can also occur later in life due to exposure to noise and aging. Other causes of hearing loss may include head trauma, ototoxic medicines, ear infections and genetic predisposition.

Do I require hearing aid devices?

If your hearing loss is severe, you may require a hearing aid to understand what others say. If you don’t use them, it would be challenging to converse with others or talk to people on telephones. Severe hearing loss can prevent you from hearing speeches even if people speak loudly. That’s why you may need a hearing aid.

After tests, your audiologist will evaluate the results and may offer recommendations on hearing aids. Sometimes you may not need a hearing aid for both ears if the problem affects one of your ears. However, according to experts, 90% of hearing loss patients may need aid for both ears.

What could be my hearing aids cost?

Hearing loss costs may depend on a wide range of factors. Note that apart from the cost of devices you may need, other expenses may include payment for fitting, consultation, warranty, cleanings, adjustments and hearing tests.

However, the most significant factor influencing your expenditure is the device’s features and technology level. It would be important to ask your audiologist about your needs and the available options. This ensures you can choose the right equipment and compare prices before purchasing.

Could my hearing loss be permanent?

Hearing loss that may occur due to noise exposure damages the inner ear and is permanent. That means reversing the situation is impossible. This is a common hearing loss problem and affects many people.

Can my hearing loss worsen or change?

Your hearing loss may become worse as you age or get exposed to more noise. Fortunately, you can implement some preventive practices to maintain your hearing. Your audiologist can offer you vital information on how you can do this.

What help can work for me?

During the consultation, you need to offer relevant information to your audiologist. This will help your audiologist understand your situation better and recommend hearing loss aids devices that can cater to your needs. It would help if you talked about several things, including:

Work environment
Social habits
Daily activities

Can my insurance cover hearing aids?

This may depend on the type of insurance cover. You may talk to your insurance agency and ask if this can be an option. Hearing loss shouldn’t affect your day-to-day activities if you take the necessary measures. If you think you’re experiencing hearing, do not hesitate to consult an experienced audiologist to understand your situation and the options you may need.