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Visiting your GP
If you feel nervous or uncomfortable about this, it may help to prepare notes in advance. This will help you give a clear description of your hearing difficulties and how it is affecting you.
It is important to mention if your hearing seems worse in one ear or if you have experienced any other ear related symptoms, such as pain or difficulties with balance.
If you have experienced hearing loss which has occurred suddenly, or over a period of no more than three days, you should contact him or her immediately.
At the doctors
Your GP can examine your ears for a build up of earwax which may be affecting your hearing. If it appears you have excess wax, the doctor may prescribe ear drops or suggest the use of olive oil to soften the wax and make it easier to remove. You may then need an appointment with a nurse to remove the wax.
If you do not have a wax build up or your hearing is not improved by wax removal, your GP may arrange a hearing test and also perform a simple hearing test using a tuning fork to get an indication of the type of hearing loss that may be present.
If a hearing aid appears to be called for, you may well be referred directly to an audiology department. Otherwise, an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist may be needed.
