Common Questions to Ask During Your HIS Appointment

During your hearing instrument specialist (HIS) appointment, you will have the chance to ask some questions about your hearing requirements, testing and any devices offered to you. It’s a good idea to go prepared in case you draw a blank in the office. Here are some questions you can think about asking.

What Type of Hearing Loss Do I Have?

There are three types of hearing loss that you might experience. There is sensorineural, conductive and mixed hearing loss. Understanding the differences between them can determine what type of hearing device or treatment is best suited for your lifestyle.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways to the brain, it is usually permanent and can be treated with hearing devices. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there are obstructions in the ear canal and mixed is a combination of both.

Do both of My Ears Have Hearing Loss?

It’s normal for us to use a dominant hand for writing and many people have different prescriptions for each eye, so it’s entirely possible for one ear to hear differently from the other. In fact, some studies suggest the left ear hears music better, and the right hears speech.

During your HIS appointment, you will undergo some simple non-invasive hearing tests. These tests determine what types of hearing loss you experience and what devices will work best for you; however, it’s useful to ask your HIS for more information on what ear is affected and why.

Do I Need a Hearing Device?

When you visit the HIS clinic, the question of whether or not you need a healing device should arise naturally. That said, you might have to ask the question if you suspect you require a hearing device, but tests suggest otherwise. In this case, a HIS should suggest an alternative.

Hearing devices can be very effective when it comes to increasing your hearing ability or reducing background noise, allowing you to hear more clearly. For these reasons, a hearing device might be desirable even if HIS tests suggest you don’t need one. Ask if you’re unsure.

What’s the Best Hearing Device for Me?

These days there are many hearing devices on the market, and devices are no longer limited to ones with basic functionality. Instead, there is a device to suit specific types of hearing loss as well as specific types of lifestyles and hearing environments.

One excellent question to ask you HIS is what type of hearing devices available and what devices are best suited to you. If you work in a sound-sensitive profession, for instance, you might want a hearing device that has better features. So, give your HIS as much info as you can.

How Can I Maintain My Device?

Again, your HIS should give you the information you need on how to look after your hearing device. A hearing device is a sensitive piece of technology that requires careful installation and cleaning – ask your HIS as many questions on maintenance as you can.