Frequently Asked Questions

During your hearing evaluation, your hearing care professional will take time to get to know you and understand what's bringing you in. You'll be asked pre-screening questions to help rule out any conditions that may require a referral to your primary care physician or an ENT.

We'll then perform video otoscopy to inspect your ear canal and eardrum for wax buildup or abnormalities — you'll see everything on screen in real time. From there, you'll step into our sound booth for a comprehensive battery of tests including:

• Pure-tone air and bone conduction testing
• Speech reception threshold testing
• Most comfortable listening level testing
• Word recognition testing
• Speech-in-noise testing

Together, these give us a complete picture of your hearing and a clear path forward.

A comprehensive hearing evaluation at Riverside Hearing Care typically takes 45–90 minutes. This allows our specialist sufficient time to thoroughly assess your hearing, discuss your lifestyle needs and goals, and address any questions you or your loved ones may have. We make sure you leave with a thorough understanding of your hearing health — never rushed.

You should schedule a hearing test if you:

• Frequently ask people to repeat themselves
• Struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments like restaurants
• Turn the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
• Have difficulty hearing on the phone
• Have family members who've commented on your hearing
• Experience tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears

These are common early signs of hearing loss. The sooner they're addressed, the better the outcomes.

No — you do not need a physician referral to schedule a hearing evaluation at Riverside Hearing Care. We welcome self-referrals and make it easy to schedule at our convenient location in Bath, Maine. Call or book online today.

• Your insurance card and information
• A list of current medications
• Any relevant medical history related to your ears or hearing
• Previous hearing test records if you have them

We also encourage you to bring a family member or close friend. Their perspective on your hearing challenges in everyday situations is genuinely valuable — and they'll have their own questions too.

Our specialist will explain the type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss in plain language. From there, we'll walk through your treatment options together — which may include hearing aids you can test-drive through our 3-Step Renewal Fitting and Follow-Up Program. There's no pressure — just honest information to help you make the best decision for your life and your hearing.

We recommend annual hearing tests for adults over 55 and anyone regularly exposed to loud noise environments — including those working in shipbuilding, commercial fishing, construction, logging, manufacturing, or agricultural industries common throughout Midcoast and Central Maine.

For other adults, testing every 2–3 years is sufficient to establish a baseline and monitor any changes in hearing health.

Maine is one of the oldest states in the nation by median age — which means hearing health is a pressing concern for a significant portion of our community. The stakes go well beyond simply hearing better.

Groundbreaking research — including the ACHIEVE trial and ENHANCE study — has established a meaningful link between treating hearing loss and protecting brain health. Untreated hearing loss is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. Hearing aids help by reducing the cognitive load of effortful listening and keeping people socially engaged.

Hearing loss is gradual by nature. Most people don't notice it until it has already significantly affected their daily life. Regular evaluations let us establish a baseline, track changes over time, and intervene before communication difficulties and social withdrawal take hold.

Untreated hearing loss is strongly associated with social isolation, depression, and decreased independence. For Maine residents who value staying connected with family and living actively — healthy hearing is foundational.

Coverage varies widely depending on your plan — and navigating it can be confusing. We'll do that work for you. Insurance should never be a barrier to better hearing. We'll help you understand exactly what your plan covers so you can make an informed decision.

Reach out and we'll get started.