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Tips for Using Telehealth for Your Audiology Appointments

In honor of Audiology Awareness Month, get the inside scoop on having a great telehealth appointment here.

One of the top tips for using telehealth for audiology is making sure your internet connection and devices work ahead of time.

October is Audiology Awareness Month — a time dedicated to raising awareness about hearing health, the services that audiologists provide, and the importance of regular check-ups. 

However, for those who live far from their audiologist or have mobility or transportation limitations, it may be challenging to keep up with your regular appointments. Fortunately, in today’s digital age, telehealth has emerged as a convenient and effective way to access healthcare services, including audiology appointments! It may feel overwhelming to use for the first time, so we’ve gathered some top tips for using telehealth for your next audiology appointment.

Telehealth offers a variety of benefits that make it a valuable option for many patients. It makes hearing care accessible from the comfort of your home, regardless of distance or health concerns. Plus, by eliminating the time cost of commuting and sitting in a waiting room, it becomes much easier to fit appointments into your schedule. This makes it easier to stay on top of your hearing health for the long term.

Of course, your audiologist will understand the hearing challenges that a telehealth visit can present. Prior to your appointment, ask about any accommodations they have (i.e., captions, amplified volume, etc.) to make communication easier. You can also check the application you use for telehealth visits to see if they offer closed captioning.

Whether you’re considering your first virtual audiology appointment or are a seasoned telehealth user, these tips for using telehealth will help ensure a smooth and successful experience:

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Choose a quiet, well-lit space
  3. Test out your equipment
  4. Brainstorm a list of questions
  5. Be ready to share your medical history
  6. Follow it up with action

Let’s learn about these tips for using telehealth!

Check your internet connection

A stable, high-speed internet connection is important for a successful telehealth audiology appointment. Prior to your appointment, check your internet connection to ensure that audio and video can be transmitted smoothly. To do this, you could try video chatting with a friend or using an internet speed test website. For a successful video chat, your internet service speed should be 10-25 Mbps for download speed and at least 3 Mbps for upload speed. If possible, use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi for the most reliable performance.

Choose a quiet, well-lit space

Find a quiet, well-lit area in your home for the appointment. Background noise can interfere with the audiology assessment, so make sure you’re in a room where you can minimize distractions. Good lighting will help the audiologist observe your body language and expressions, which can help with their assessment as well as just the sense of one-on-one connection with your doctor. Being able to focus on your provider without distraction can also improve communication and increase the productivity of your call.

Test out your equipment

Make sure to test your computer, smartphone, or tablet’s camera, microphone, and speakers in advance. This will help you ensure that your devices’ audio and video settings are configured correctly to avoid technical glitches and delays during the appointment. You may also want to use headphones with a built-in microphone for improved audio quality. If you currently wear hearing aids, make sure the settings and volume are comfortable for listening through your speakers, or connect via Bluetooth if you can.

Brainstorm a list of questions

Before the appointment, make a list of any questions and concerns you want to discuss with your audiologist. Being prepared will help you make the most of your time together and ensure that all your concerns are addressed. Engage actively in the appointment by listening, sharing your thoughts, and seeking clarification when needed if there’s anything you don’t understand. Effective communication is key to a successful telehealth experience. Here are seven ideas of questions to ask your audiologist!

Be ready to share your medical history

If this is your first appointment with a new provider, be prepared to provide the audiologist (or assistant) with a comprehensive medical history and a list of any current medications or supplements you’re taking. This information can be crucial in understanding your hearing health and tailoring recommendations to your specific needs. Some medications and conditions can affect your hearing or interact with other treatment options, so it’s important to be thorough.

Follow it up with action

After your telehealth audiology appointment, be sure to follow any recommendations or treatment plans provided by your audiologist. This may include scheduling follow-up appointments (via telehealth or in person), undergoing hearing tests, making lifestyle adjustments, trying a new hearing aid or assistive device, etc. Your first appointment is just the beginning of caring for your hearing health — it’s a lifelong journey!

With these tips for using telehealth, it’s easier than ever to make your hearing health a priority. For those who are currently living with hearing loss, level up your technological life even more with a CapTel captioned telephone!