For many people, booking a hearing appointment is a scary proposition. On average, our patients wait seven years, from noticing a hearing loss to seeking help at Audicles.
But the longer you leave it, the more your problem will worsen. Our hearing evaluations, led by expert doctors of audiology, are quick and straightforward procedures arranged at a time that suits you. Want to find out more? Here’s how they work:
A Warm Introduction
When you first arrive at Audicles’ San Antonio location, you’ll be met by a friendly member of our team, invited to relax in our delightful waiting room, and fill out some paperwork with a cup of coffee.
Your audiologist will then take you to their office, where initially, they’ll want to have a chat about your hearing concerns.
The doctor will want to know whether your family has a history of hearing problems, if you’ve been exposed to loud sounds, and why you felt it was essential to visit Audicles today.
But they’ll also want to find out about your experiences, backstory, and expectations. Our doctors must build trust with each patient and ensure they’re comfortable moving forward.
Hearing Evaluations
The doctor will then begin the formal hearing evaluation, and they’ll start by taking a detailed look inside your ears. This is to make sure there aren’t any apparent blockages, such as wax build-up or foreign bodies, affecting your hearing.
But they’ll also be looking for anything that might require medical attention. If they spot fluid in your middle ear space or inflammation, for example, then this could indicate you have an infection, resulting in a referral to a specialist physician.
Similarly, if they find that you have apparent damage to your eardrum or nerve endings, then this will affect how they choose to treat you later.
Our Sound Booth
Next, a doctor will take you to our sound booth, where they’ll make sure you’re sitting comfortably in our famous giraffe print chair. They’ll then play some easy-to-understand words through a pair of headphones, which will slowly get softer and softer over time.
The doctor will ask you to repeat the words until you can’t hear them anymore. This will offer a primary indication of your hearing capacity. Then, they’ll introduce some beeping sounds, a test you might’ve taken as a child.
You’ll press a button each time you hear a beep as they decrease in volume – there are no penalties for guessing!
Treatment Consultation
Following these tests, the doctor will bring you back to their office, where they can discuss your results step by step, so you understand everything completely.
They’ll discuss all the treatment options that are available to you and offer expert guidance about how you could benefit from them.
For those requiring hearing aids, each doctor can demonstrate how they work in practice and discuss what technology might work best for your specific condition.
By the end of your appointment, you’ll have all the knowledge and understanding to pick a hearing solution that’s right for you.
Our patients’ lives change for the better after they get the correct diagnosis. Now is a great time to book an appointment with an expert. Contact us today to request a callback!
