If you’ve never had your hearing tested, you may be feeling apprehensive. If you haven’t had a hearing test carried out for a very long time, it makes sense to ask questions and learn about how it’s all going to happen. Knowing what the hearing test will involve and what will happen after it should put your mind at ease a little. Here are the top questions to put to your audiologist about your hearing test.

Do I need to prepare in any way?

Your audiologist will have an idea of what kind of hearing test they want to carry out and what they’re looking for. So, talk to them about how you might want to prepare for the hearing test. Doing this will ensure you’re ready for whatever might be thrown at you. Sometimes, your audiologist will want you to prepare in certain ways and other times, there won’t be much you can do at all.

Are any aspects of the test invasive?

Hearing tests are non-invasive and shouldn’t cause any discomfort or pain. Most involve wearing a set of headphones and listening to various pitches and sounds, indicating which tones you can hear. There may be a physical examination of your ears and canal to look for issues like impactions, but this shouldn’t cause any kind of discomfort.

When will I find out the results?

When the test is done, you’ll want to find out what the results of it were at the soonest possible opportunity. Nobody wants to be left waiting for that information for too long. Before the test even happens, you should ask your audiologist how long it will take. In some cases, they will be able to give you an idea of the results there and then and you can then start the treatment process.

What are your treatment options?

With the results of your hearing test, your audiologist will be able to recommend the best treatment possible for your specific needs. Hearing aids are the most commonly recommended treatment for hearing loss and can be selected in a variety of different styles, from those worn behind the ear to those worn in the canal. Your audiologist will go over the best types that match your hearing loss, budget and lifestyle needs.

A hearing test can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect, but when you understand the process, what it’s about and how it’s going to happen, your mind will be put at ease. So, make sure you ask these questions, as well as any others you might have about your hearing test.