Audiology - What to Expect

Before your Appointment

If you require assistance with language interpretation or would like to be escorted by a friend, relative or carer, please advise the Audiology Referral Centre so that the clinic staff are ready for you.

It is vital that before your appointment you have your ears checked for any wax problems at your GP clinic. If your ears are blocked with wax when you arrive for testing, your appointment may be cancelled and you will be referred back to your GP. This is because was may prevent a proper examination of your ears and will adversely affect the hearing test.

When you Arrive

If the clinic is a mobile unit it will have a lift, in case you cannot use stairs. At the clinic you will see a specialist called an audiologist for your hearing test. All assessments carried out during your appointment will take approximately 45 minutes.

The audiologist will conduct an initial assessment before testing your hearing, by asking questions about your medical history, using an instrument called an otoscope to look at your ear canal and membrane, and conducting a questionnaire to see if you'll benefit from a hearing aid.

The Examination

The hearing test called audiometry will last about 20 minutes. The audiologist will conduct several different tests, to check the condition of your hearing.

The first test will involve you wearing headphones and listening to a variety of tones sounding like musical notes. You'll have to indicate when you hear the particular sound, usually by pressing a button. The results of this test are drawn on a chart called an audiogram. If the results show hearing loss, you will be asked to take another test.

The next test requires you to put on a headband with a vibrating pad, which transmits sound through the bones in your skull to your ears.

When the results of this test are compared with the first test, it shows up any problems you might have with your eardrum or middle ear. This helps to decide what can be done about your hearing loss. You may be given another test where you will be asked to listen to sentences or words and repeat what you hear.

When Will I Get the Results?

The audiologist will explain your test results immediately and discuss whether a hearing aid is likely to help you, or if there is some other treatment you could have.

If you Need a Hearing Aid

If a hearing aid is to be fitted, the audiologist may take impressions of your ears to make earmoulds.

Once the earmould is created, we will arrange another appointment with you, so you can have your hearing aid fitted. The audiologist who fits it will adjust it for you, show you how to put it in, how to use the controls, how to change the batteries and explain what your hearing aid can and cannot do.

Follow up Appointment 6 - 8 Weeks

We will arrange a follow up appointment 6 - 8 weeks after your hearing aid is fitted, so you can ask questions and address any problems you may be having.

If you Find your Hearing Aid Does Not Help

If you find it difficult to get used to your hearing aid, do not give up. Try wearing it for a few days and make a note of all the problems you have with it. Then make an appointment with the Audiology Referral Centre to see an audiologist.