Hearing and hearing loss: how to get ready for your appointment
This leaflet has been sent to you along with your appointment for the audiology clinic.
This document has information about what will happen at your appointment, all about your ears and how to get ready for your visit.
Why have you been sent here?
We have been asked to see you to take a look at your ears and hearing.
The reason you have been sent to us is because there is some worry, either from your doctor, yourself or even your family and friends about how well you hear.
Hearing loss signs
Hearing loss can develop at any time.
You could start to lose your hearing slowly overtime and it is painless. You may not realise it is happening.
Your friends and family may notice before you do.
Have you noticed any of the following? If so, there is a chance you have a hearing loss
People seem to mumble and do not speak clearly.
People say that I have the TV and radio too loud.
I miss visits to my house or phone calls because I didn’t hear the ring.
I have trouble following conversations in noisy places.
I often do not hear and ask people to say their sentences again.
My friends and family say that I have a hearing problem.
People tell me that I speak loudly.
Knowing your ears
It might be helpful to know a bit more information about your ears.
Your ears turn sound waves in the air into information and send that information to your brain.
This is how we hear things.
Causes of hearing loss
There are many things that can affect your hearing, such as:
Getting older
Long-term exposure to noise
Passed down through your family
Illness or infection
Side-effect of medicines
Injury
Ear wax
Effects of hearing loss
As we get older, our hearing gets worse. This usually happens slowly over time.
Hearing loss affects everyone differently.
Some people may struggle to hear if there is a lot of background noise.
Some people may struggle to hear just one person talking.
Everyone is different.
One of the ways that people manage their hearing problems is through wearing hearing aids.
There are other ways we can improve hearing and talking.
Hearing loss can cause us to feel angry and upset.
Take a look at the boxes below. They show that hearing loss can be a worry for families and friends.
Do you know any of these things? By thinking about your own daily communication it can really help to know where you need the most help with your hearing.
Hearing loss situations
My thoughts:
My husband always says to me to turn the TV down, it gets me down.
Husband’s thoughts:
The TV is up so loud, she just doesn’t listen and it upsets me.
My thoughts:
Children today don’t speak clearly, they mutter, it makes me so cross.
Grandchild’s thoughts:
Why doesn’t grandma answer when I ask her a question, it makes me so sad.
My thoughts:
I can’t hear my daughter on the telephone these new mobile phones are not as good as old house phones, it is so hard.
Daughter’s thoughts:
It would be good to talk with mum on the phone without repeating myself, it is hard work.
My thoughts:
I may as well not be there, I don’t understand, it is a waste of time to go out just to feel so lonely.
Friends’ thoughts:
We know she finds it hard with her hearing, so we try to make sure she can see our faces when we are talking.
My thoughts:
Why do they have to play music in public places? I can never hear how much I’m being asked for in shops and restaurants, it is hard.
Shop assistant’s thoughts:
She’s lovely but I wish she would get her hearing sorted, she never gives me the right money and I keep repeating what I am saying.
What will happen at my assessment?
The hearing nurse will:
Ask you questions about your hearing problems.
Go through your medical history.
Perform an ear assessment.
Talk about and agree on the best options for you. This may be a hearing aid.
Please fill in the ‘yes and no’ questions, and bring along to your first appointment
Hearing history
Have you experienced earache in both ears, lasting more than 7 days in the past 90 days before your appointment?
Yes
No
Have you experienced a history of discharge other than wax from either ear within the last 90 days?
Yes
No
Have you experienced sudden loss or loss of hearing?
(Sudden = within 1 week)
Yes
No
Have you experienced more of a rapid loss in your hearing?
(Rapid= over 90 days or less)
Yes
No
Have you experienced changes in your hearing loss, other than when you have a cold?
Yes
No
Do you hear better in one ear than the other?
Yes
No
Do you experience loud noises in a different ear or worse than the other?
Yes
No
Do these noises stop you from sleeping at night, or give you anxiety or depression?
Yes
No
In the last three months, have you had any problems such as dizziness, balance, spinning, swaying (side to side when walking), floating on air and going to one side when walking?
Yes
No
Have you ever had a head/ear injury or surgery?
Yes
No
Have you been hearing very loud sounds?
Yes
No
Do you have a pacemaker?
Yes
No
How you can get ready for your hearing test (assessment)
Please think about specific times in which you would like to hear better.
Please write them below.
For example, wanting to hear better at the dinner table or wanting to hear better when speaking on the telephone.
Important
What happens in those situations?
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If you have a lot of earwax and often go to have your ears cleaned, make sure you have them cleaned 2 to 3 weeks before your appointment.
If you have long hair you may like to bring along a hair band to keep your hair away from your ears during your appointment.
It would be helpful if you could bring along a list of any medicines (tablets) you are taking.
Please talk to a member of staff before or during your visit to the hospital if you require translation support to access Patient Information. Please ring the phone number on your appointment letter, if you have one.
Accessibility
Please talk to the Patient Experience Team on 020 893 3850 if you need this information in a different format.
Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
PALS provides information, advice and support to patients and relatives.
