Finding a hearing care professional

By Jenny Groth

Director, Audiology Communications for GN Hearing

Finding a good hearing care professional is an important first step in managing hearing loss.  But who are hearing care professionals and what do they do?

Hearing care professionals are specially and uniquely trained in the identification, assessment and management of hearing and balance problems.

Hearing care professionals can be found in many different settings such as hospitals and hearing centers, hearing aid retailers, public and private schools and universities and in the various military industries. Finding the help and support of the right hearing care professional can make a profound difference in your hearing experience.

When it comes to getting help with hearing issues, finding the right specialist might be confusing. There are three types of hearing care professionals and each has different training and a different scope of practice. Therefore, the professional you choose depends on your medical needs as well as your personal preference. Read more about audiologists, hearing aid specialists and ear-nose-throat doctors.

Treating hearing loss with hearing aids is a big part of what any hearing care professionals does.  Regardless of which type of hearing care professional you see, they can match you with the hearing aids that are appropriate for your hearing loss, and provide support to help you get the most from their use.

What to expect during the consultation with a hearing care professional?

A full professional hearing evaluation usually takes less than an hour.

1. Your hearing care professional will probably start by asking you a few questions about your general health and lifestyle, and the health of your ears.

2. Next, they will look into your ear to examine the canal that runs to the eardrum. They are looking for more clues about your hearing health. The ear examination doesn’t hurt at all.

3. For the actual hearing test you’ll be asked to wear headphones and listen to a series of tones to evaluate the sensitivity of your hearing at different frequency levels.

The hearing test results are shown on an audiogram, a graph that, in most cases, will be presented to you right after the test.

If you do have a hearing loss, your hearing care professional will be able to tell you if it can be treated with a hearing aid, and if so, which type of hearing aid will suit you best. 

Don’t know where to start?  Let us help you find a hearing care professional near you.