Hearing Center - Frequently Asked Questions

More and more people are going to their local hearing center to get answers about their conditions. Some are concerned with their lack of ability to hear. Others are looking for a way to protect their ears. Regardless of the reason, an appointment with an audiologist can shed some light on the situation. Here are a few questions that many clients ask before they head out to their appointment. How much is it going to cost? The cost depends on the hearing center that you choose. Some offer free testing and assessments and if possible, take advantage of this offer. You can learn more about whether or not you are experiencing any loss and get an idea of the severity. If you cannot find a location that offers free testing, you can check with your insurance company to see if they offer any type of coverage. What should I bring along? You need only bring yourself to the hearing center. If you already use any type of equipment to increase your ability to hear, you should bring it along. You can do an assessment with and without them to get an idea of your severity of loss. If you are planning to run the appointment through your insurance company, bring along your health insurance card. Don't forget to bring along a payment if you need to pay for the appointment. Is the test painful or uncomfortable? There is no pain or discomfort associated with the hearing center assessment. It does not take much time and you will just sit and listen to a series of tones and noises to see how much you can hear and how clearly. At the end of the test, you will talk about the results and decide what improvement options will work best for you. Will I walk out with new equipment? It is possible for you to walk out with new aids that will be able to improve your ability to hear right away. It does take a few days and in some cases a few weeks to become accustomed to them so give it some time before you give up. In some cases the equipment will need to be ordered and it could take a few days or a few weeks for it to be delivered. Before you leave, you should have some idea of when your equipment will be available. When should I come back? It is important that a person come back at least once a year for an assessment. Even if last year's test went fine; it is still necessary to come back in during the current year. You would be surprised how much could change in the course of one year. Don't skip over your hearing center appointment.