Resources

The treatment for a hearing problem always begins with identifying and diagnosing the problem. There are many important questions that should be answered before treatment begins, such as:

Is there really a hearing problem? Why do you think you have difficulty hearing?

Click here to take the Better Hearing Institute questionnaire.

When did the problem begin? How has it been affecting you socially and emotionally?

On average, people take about 7 years from the time they first start noticing hearing problems before they schedule a hearing test.

What caused the hearing problem (i.e., what is the etiology)?

Are you having other symptoms, like ringing in the ears (tinnitus)?

Visit the American Tinnitus Association for information about tinnitus.

Visit the Hyperacusis Network for information about hypersensitivity to sound (hyperacusis).

Is the problem in one ear or both?

Some medical issues, like acoustic neuromas, can cause single-sided hearing loss.

Many times, hearing loss is idiopathic, meaning we don’t know what caused it. But your doctor should still perform an assessment before you get hearing aids.

Is the hearing loss going to get worse (i.e., what is the prognosis)?

This usually depends on what caused the hearing problem.

Your hearing loss may worsen over time if you are diabetic or taking ototoxic medications.

What are your goals for treatment? What would be a measurable improvement for you?

What we find in a sound booth may not reflect your experience in the real world. Try to think about the situations that are difficult for you, and how your life might improve if we can alleviate the problems you experience in those situations. Take a look at the hearing tools from the Ida Institute we have posted to help develop goals and guide treatment decisions.