The Benefits of Establishing a Long-Term Relationship with Your Hearing Specialist

According to the National Institutes of Health, one in eight Americans aged 12 and older experience hearing loss. There are several causes of hearing loss, such as severe tinnitus, some illnesses such as diabetes, some medications and even genetics. Hearing loss can affect one’s personal and work life as communication becomes more challenging, causing a decline in social interactions and overall frustration.

Fortunately, with the help of a certified and experienced audiologist, you or a loved one experiencing hearing loss can live a healthy and fulfilling life, despite this condition! Therefore, establishing a long-term relationship with your hearing specialist is vital.

What is a Hearing Specialist?

An audiologist is a healthcare professional who treats issues concerning hearing health for all age groups. They are equipped with the knowledge and experience to diagnose, assess and manage hearing problems and issues concerning balance and other neural systems. Hearing specialists are also responsible for providing individuals with solutions that make living with a hearing condition easier. For instance, your audiologist is trained in selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing aids and other listening devices.

They also take preventive action by providing protective hearing devices to help patients reduce their chances of experiencing hearing loss and other hearing health conditions. They also educate their patients on the effects of noise on their hearing and how to ensure healthier hearing. Additionally, hearing specialists conduct or assist in various research projects on preventing, identifying and managing hearing loss to widen the scope and find new and improved technologies and processes.

When Should You Visit Your Hearing Specialist?

Although seeing an audiologist as often as you can in a year is the better option, there are some signs and symptoms you may experience that require services immediately. These include the following:

• Trouble hearing or understanding speech.
• Often asking people to repeat themselves.
• Avoiding social interventions, especially in relatively loud spaces, for fear of being unable to follow conversations.
• Increasing the volume of your TV or radio beyond the required level.
• Unable to hear the doorbell or telephone ringing.
• Confusion about where sounds are coming from.
• Seem to have earwax buildup.

Although signs may not seem problematic, it is better to visit your hearing specialist to professionally assess the situation and give you the needed solutions.

Why do You Need to Establish a Long-Term Relationship with Your Hearing Specialist?

One of the relationships often overlooked is those between an audiologist and their patient. However, this relationship can go a long way to ensuring better health solutions, proper diagnoses and so much more. Here are some benefits of establishing a long-term relationship with your audiologist.

Familiarity

Familiarity, especially with your hearing specialist, is a great thing. Moving from one audiologist to another would mean constantly explaining your issues to a new person who may have different methods of offering their services. However, when you build a long-term relationship with your existing audiologist, you feel safe as you already know their processes and receive personalized care. This, in turn, builds your trust in them, making you feel more comfortable.

Better Management and Control of Your Problem

Staying with one hearing specialist for a long time means they know more about your hearing loss. They have the entire history of your case. This enables your audiologist to learn more about your health needs and provide better solutions to improve your overall health.

Learn More About Your Condition

As an individual with hearing loss, you are constantly looking for ways to overcome the challenges you face to live a better life and go about your daily activities easily. You can learn expert advice firsthand from your audiologist as they are a professional who knows the intricacies of your case and the severity of your hearing loss. This makes them better equipped to give you advice tailored to your condition.

Proper Communication

Effective communication between an audiologist and their patient is essential as it can affect the service provided and the relationship. While communication can be a bit challenging person experiencing hearing loss, you may want a loved one there in case you miss something. Having an audiologist who has come to understand you is of great importance. This is easier to do when you have a long-term relationship with them.

Visit Flynn Associates today!

To build a beneficial long-term relationship with an audiologist, you need one that is professional, knowledgeable, trustworthy and dependable. Then look further than Flynn Associates! You can visit our offices or call us to schedule an appointment and learn more about our services. Call the Concord branch today at (978) 759-3540 and the Wellesley branch at (781) 943-5040.