What Really Happens During Your First Audiologist Visit in St. Louis

Your first audiologist appointment can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect makes the process much more comfortable. At our St. Louis practice, we've designed a comprehensive evaluation process that takes about 60-90 minutes and provides complete answers about your hearing health. Most patients leave with a clear understanding of their hearing status and personalized treatment options.

Paperwork and Initial Consultation

When you arrive at our Kirkwood office, we'll provide paperwork covering your medical history, hearing concerns, and lifestyle needs. This information helps us understand how hearing challenges affect your daily life - whether you struggle in restaurants, miss conversations with family, or have difficulty hearing the television.

We discuss your specific hearing concerns during this consultation, exploring situations where you notice the most difficulty. Our audiologist John Scarlas takes time to understand your communication needs, work environment, and social activities. This conversation shapes the entire evaluation and ensures we address your primary concerns.

The initial discussion also covers any medications you take, previous ear infections, noise exposure history, and family hearing loss patterns. These factors influence both your hearing test results and treatment recommendations.

Comprehensive Hearing Testing in Our Sound Booth

The hearing test takes place in our specially designed sound booth, which blocks outside noise for accurate results. You'll wear headphones while we present various sounds and tones at different frequencies and volumes.

Pure tone audiometry measures your hearing thresholds across all frequencies, from low-pitched sounds like men's voices to high-pitched sounds like children's voices or birds singing. You'll press a button or raise your hand each time you hear a sound, no matter how faint. This creates your audiogram, a visual representation of your hearing abilities.

Speech audiometry follows, where you'll repeat words at different volume levels. This test reveals how well you understand speech, not just whether you can hear it. We test both your ability to detect speech and your clarity in understanding words - two different but equally important aspects of hearing.

Bone conduction testing may be included, using a small device placed behind your ear to test inner ear function directly. This helps determine whether hearing loss stems from the outer/middle ear or inner ear.

Tympanometry Testing for Middle Ear Function

Tympanometry evaluates your middle ear and eardrum function without requiring any response from you. A small probe placed in your ear canal measures how your eardrum moves in response to air pressure changes.

This test reveals whether you have fluid behind your eardrum, earwax blockage, eardrum perforations, or problems with the tiny bones in your middle ear. The results appear immediately on a graph, showing whether your middle ear system functions normally.

Tympanometry helps us determine if medical treatment is needed before considering hearing aids. Some hearing issues require medical intervention rather than amplification.

Reviewing Your Results

After testing, we review your audiogram together, explaining what the results mean in practical terms. We translate the technical information into real-world understanding of how your hearing loss affects daily communication.

Your audiogram shows hearing thresholds for each ear across different frequencies. We explain which sounds you hear well and which ones you miss, helping you understand why certain situations feel more challenging than others.

We discuss the type and degree of your hearing loss, whether it affects both ears equally, and how it impacts your ability to understand speech in quiet and noisy environments. This information forms the foundation for treatment recommendations.

Treatment Options Discussion

If hearing loss is present, we explore treatment options based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Modern hearing aids offer remarkable improvements over previous generations, with features like artificial intelligence, smartphone connectivity, and rechargeable batteries.

We carry the latest models from leading manufacturers including Phonak Infinio, Starkey Edge AI, ReSound Vivia, Signia IX, Oticon Intent, and Widex Allure. Each platform offers unique advantages, and we match technology to your hearing loss pattern and daily activities.

For mild hearing losses, we might discuss the Widex Allure with its PureSound processing that provides natural sound quality. Those needing advanced noise management might benefit from the Starkey Edge AI with its neural processing technology.

We explain different hearing aid styles, from nearly invisible in-the-canal models to behind-the-ear options with more power and features. The choice depends on your hearing loss degree, dexterity, and cosmetic preferences.

Real Ear Measurements for Precise Fitting

When hearing aids are recommended, we use real ear measurements to ensure optimal performance. This advanced fitting technique measures sound levels in your ear canal while wearing hearing aids, guaranteeing they provide the exact amplification your hearing loss requires.

Real ear measurements set us apart from many other practices and ensure your hearing aids work as intended from day one. This precision fitting approach significantly improves your success with hearing aids.

Addressing Your Questions and Concerns

We reserve time to address all your questions about hearing loss, treatment options, costs, and insurance coverage. Many patients worry about hearing aid adjustment periods, maintenance requirements, or how others will react to visible devices.

Common questions include battery life expectations, water resistance capabilities, smartphone compatibility, and warranty coverage. We provide detailed information about each topic, ensuring you feel confident about any decisions.

We never pressure you into purchasing hearing aids during your first visit. You'll receive complete information to make informed decisions at your own pace.

Insurance and Financing Options

We review your insurance benefits and explain coverage for hearing tests and hearing aids. Many insurance plans provide partial hearing aid coverage, and we handle the paperwork to maximize your benefits.

For those without insurance coverage, we offer financing options to make hearing care affordable. We believe financial concerns shouldn't prevent you from addressing hearing health needs.

Next Steps After Your Evaluation

Depending on your results, next steps might include medical referrals for treatable conditions, hearing aid fittings, or follow-up monitoring for mild hearing changes. We create personalized care plans addressing your specific situation.

If hearing aids are recommended, we'll schedule a fitting appointment and discuss trial periods. Most hearing aids come with adjustment periods allowing you to experience the technology in your daily environment.

For those choosing to wait, we establish monitoring schedules and provide hearing protection recommendations to prevent further damage.

Experience Comprehensive Hearing Care Today

Your first audiologist visit provides complete answers about your hearing health and clear direction for optimal hearing solutions. Our experienced team ensures you receive thorough evaluation and personalized care in a comfortable, no-pressure environment.

Ready to take the first step toward better hearing? Contact our Kirkwood office at (314) 835-9996 to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation with audiologist John Scarlas. We're committed to helping you hear your best through professional care and advanced hearing technology.