You may be referred for a balance assessment by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant. The balance system (called the vestibular system) is in the inner ear and brain. It helps you keep your balance and know where your body is in space.
During your appointment, the audiologist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will then carry out some tests to see how well your balance system is working. Some tests use special video goggles to record your eye movements. These may include:
- Video Nystagmography (VNG)
- Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)
Your eye movements can help us understand how your balance system is working. After the assessment, the audiologist will explain the results and talk about the next steps with you.
Depending on the cause of your dizziness or balance problems, treatment may include:
- Exercises you can do at home to improve your balance
- A simple procedure to help treat certain types of dizziness
Patients who wear hearing aids may occasionally need a review appointment with an audiologist.
Sometimes they are needed because:
- The hearing aid is not giving the expected benefit.
- Sounds are too loud, too quiet or unclear.
- The patient's hearing has changed.
- The hearing aid no longer meets the patient's needs.
At your appointment, the audiologist may check your hearing. Then they can adjust your hearing aid settings to help you get the best possible benefit. To arrange a hearing aid review appointment, please contact the Hearing Aid Repair Line on 01482 624734
As these appointments need extra time and specialist equipment, waiting times may be up to 8 weeks.
When you receive a new hearing aid, the audiologist may arrange a follow-up appointment.
This appointment gives you the chance to:
- Talk about how you are getting on with your hearing aids.
- Ask any questions.
- Talk about any problems or concerns.
- Make sure your hearing aids are working well for you.
Follow-up appointments are usually arranged about 3 months after your hearing aid fitting. This gives you time to get used to wearing your hearing aids.
A Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) test checks how well you can hear different sounds.
During the test, you will listen to a range of sounds at different pitches and volumes. You will be asked to show when you can hear them. The quietest sounds you can hear are recorded on an audiogram (a chart that shows your hearing levels).
The results help the audiologist understand:
- If you have hearing loss
- The type of hearing loss
- How severe the hearing loss is
This information helps us decide the best care, support or treatment for you.
If your hearing test shows that hearing aids may help, an audiologist will talk to you about the choices available and whether hearing aids are suitable for you. You may be fitted with a hearing aid in one ear or both ears. Some people need a custom ear mould. If this is needed, they will take an impression of your ear. Other people may be suitable for an open-fit hearing aid.
At your hearing aid fitting appointment, the audiologist will programme the hearing aids to match your hearing needs. They will also carry out measurements to make sure the hearing aids are giving the right level of sound. They will show you how to use and care for your hearing aids and get the best possible benefit from them.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk about any concerns during your appointment.
Guide for Aid with Open Fitting
Guide for Aid with Earmould