Audiology appointments

Attending your first audiology appointment can feel a bit intimidating, but remember, it is a positive step towards taking care of your hearing health.

Audiologist sat looking at a patient while he smiles and points to a screen

Audiologists are trained to guide you through the process with care and professionalism, ensuring you are comfortable and well-informed every step of the way.

There will be new surroundings, new vocabulary to understand, and apprehension about the outcome of the appointment. To help alleviate these anxieties, it is important that you prepare and feel prepared before attending.

By following some simple steps, you will feel more confident and help ensure you get a positive experience form the appointment, and more importantly, the answers you need.

 

Preparing for the appointment

At your appointment, you should be prepared to talk about all the issues you have with your hearing. Here are some of the things to consider, to help your audiologist understand more about your hearing and how they can help you:

What sounds do you hear?

Using descriptive words, write down a list of sounds (e.g. pulsing, whooshing or fizzing) and how soft or loud they may be.

Tinnitus and balance

Changes in hearing can cause tinnitus or balance issues. Let the audiologist know how it affects you – the sounds you hear, duration and when you notice it most.

Mid shot of three people stood with their eyes closed and their arms out to their sides

Your health

Your audiologist will need to know about your general health. Be prepared to explain any current health conditions and take along a list of any medication you are taking to your appointment.

Audiology webinar

Find out more information from our peer support volunteers about how to get the most from your audiology appointment in our informative hour-long webinar.

Communication

How easy is it for you to communicate? It is important to talk openly with your audiologist about the situations where you find it difficult to hear clearly (e.g. in noisy surroundings, in groups, using the telephone. It is equally important to share good experiences of communication.

Lifestyle

What parts of your lifestyle are affected by your hearing? Home living (e.g. watching TV, hearing the doorbell, communicating with family members), socialising or work? Be ready to give some examples.

Confidence

How else does hearing loss impact on your life? E.g. Is it affecting your confidence? Do you feel isolated?

Questions

Write down any questions you may have about your hearing. What do you want to learn during your appointment (e.g. technology that may help, will I need hearing aids?). Write these down in a notepad and leave a space for the answers.

Support from friends and family

It can be helpful to bring along a friend or family member to your appointment. Before going, take time to discuss your hearing loss and share the key things you want to take away from the appointment.

A lot of people find it reassuring for someone they know to accompany them during their first appointment with an audiologist. Even though you’ll be given some written information to take home, it can be difficult to remember everything if you’re on your own.

Whether you're seeking advice, a diagnosis, or treatment, these steps will help you to feel more prepared. The goal of the appointment is to help you live better with your hearing, and by seeking support, you are already taking a positive step.