Here’s how you can prepare for your appointment and what to expect:

Before your appointment

 Note situations or environments in which you’ve had difficulty hearing: this is really helpful information. Consider bringing a friend or family member to the appointment to share their observations.

During your appointment

Your appointment will generally consist of information gathering, a non-invasive inspection of your ear, and a hearing test, followed by a review of the findings.

 The process typically consists of these steps:

Information gathering
 You will be asked about your hearing history to understand any medical issues that could be affecting your hearing. A communication assessment will be used to determine when and where you are experiencing difficulty hearing.

Ear Inspection
 Your outer ear, ear canal and eardrum will be examined. This will not be invasive or uncomfortable.

Hearing test
 Your hearing will be tested in a sound booth. You will be asked to indicate when you can hear various levels of sounds or tones in each ear.

Review results
 We will review the test results with you and identify if you have a hearing loss. If you do, you’ll discuss treatment options, which may range from communication strategies, hearing aids and other assistive devices, to a referral to another medical specialist if warranted.