How Do You Diagnose Hearing Loss?

woman sitting in doctor's office during hearing test

Hearing loss can present itself in many ways. But if you’re concerned that your hearing might not be as strong as it once was, it’s definitely a good idea to take action. But what should you and how is hearing loss usually diagnosed? That’s what we’re going to discuss today. So read on now and learn about the steps you should take if you have any concerns about the quality of your hearing.

Note Down Your Symptoms

First of all, you should take the time to note down the symptoms that you’re experiencing. This is important because you obviously want to make sure that your audiologist is able to understand what you’re experiencing before they diagnose you. They need all the facts before they can make an informed decision regarding all of this. So, for a few weeks, at least, note down any hearing issues that you experience or things that those close to you point out.

Visit Your Audiologist

When you’ve done that, you should head to your local audiologist and talk to them about the things you’ve been experiencing. The log of symptoms that you’ve created can be handed over to them in full. They’ll be able to take all of that information in and decide what the next steps should be from there.

Have a Hearing Test Carried Out

In most instances, they’ll recommend that you have a hearing test carried out because it’s never really possible to take action or diagnose hearing loss until a full hearing test has been performed. Hearing tests are easy and straightforward these days. They’re relatively quick and they’re completely pain-free as well. They’ll simply help your audiologist get a clearer view of what you’re experiencing and what your range of hearing looks like.

Assess the Results with Your Audiologist

You’ll also need to assess the results once the hearing test has been completed. This is something that your audiologist will do with you. They’ll be able to assess their findings and then explain them to you in a way that’s easy for you to understand. The results might not make much sense to you but when they’ve taken the time to explain them, you’ll know what’s happening with your hearing. 

Take the Next Steps from There

From there, you’ll be able to discuss treatment and next steps with your audiologist. What those options are will very much depend on the findings of the hearing test and what your audiologist feels would be the best way forward. For many people, that might mean using hearing aids or other devices. Or it might be the case that further tests need to be done first of all.

If you’re starting to notice that your hearing performance is declining, it’s important to take action. The issue won’t rectify itself, so move through the steps we’ve discussed above. See your audiologist and they’ll help you from there; there’s nothing at all daunting about having your hearing tested and it’ll ultimately help you get the treatment you need.