The consultation aims to help patients better understand their hearing status and choose the most suitable next steps.

Timely hearing correction can help maintain effective communication with family, friends and colleagues, and reduce the everyday strain associated with hearing difficulties.

A consultation is recommended if:

• hearing loss has been diagnosed;
• hearing difficulties affect communication and everyday life;
• the possibility of using a hearing aid needs to be assessed;
• an existing hearing aid needs to be adjusted or its performance assessed;
• further hearing rehabilitation options need to be discussed.

How should you prepare for the consultation?

• Bring previous audiograms and other hearing test results;
• if you use a hearing aid, bring it with you;
• consider the everyday situations in which hearing difficulties cause the greatest problems;
• prepare information about previous treatment and hearing correction.

What happens during the consultation?

The specialist:

• assesses the patient's hearing status and previous test results;
• explores how hearing impairment affects everyday communication;
• discusses hearing correction options;
• assesses hearing aid use if necessary;
• provides recommendations for further rehabilitation.

What will you receive at the end of the consultation?

The patient receives:

• a specialist explanation of their hearing status;
• individual recommendations for further hearing rehabilitation;
• advice on hearing correction options;
• recommendations for repeat hearing testing, if necessary.