Video guide · Ocean Wave Hearing
What to Expect at a Hearing Appointment
Your first hearing appointment shouldn’t feel rushed or confusing. Here’s what happens, how long it takes, and how to get ready.
With Ruben C. Cavazos, Jr., MS, HIS, hearing instrument specialist · Updated October 2026
The short answer
Your first visit isn’t rushed. You’ll talk about your hearing and daily life, have a full hearing evaluation, and go over your results in plain words. If hearing aids make sense, Ruben reviews options and pricing, and you get a clear quote before you commit. No referral is needed, and Ruben can come to your home. As he says, “you shouldn’t feel rushed.”
Time & Attention
Read the full transcript
Ready to catch the sound wave? Here's your sixty-second guide to clearer hearing.
At Ocean Wave Hearing, we do things differently. When it comes to your hearing health, you shouldn't feel rushed. Our patient-friendly business model allows us to spend more time with you than any other provider in the business.
My guarantee is simple. At every appointment, you'll receive personalized attention you deserve, regardless of insurance payouts, fees or profit margins.
Ocean Wave Hearing measures success in outcomes and trust, not profit margins.
Reach out to us today: 361-321-HEAR.
You shouldn’t feel rushed
Ruben opens the video with this: “At Ocean Wave Hearing, we do things differently. When it comes to your hearing health, you shouldn’t feel rushed.”
Some appointments can feel like a conveyor belt. You wait, you’re hurried through, and you leave with more questions than answers. Ruben built his practice so he can take his time with you.
His promise is simple: “At every appointment, you’ll receive personalized attention you deserve, regardless of insurance payouts, fees or profit margins.”
Before your visit: what to bring
A little prep helps you get the most from your appointment. If you have them, bring:
- Your insurance card, if it applies
- A list of your medications
- Any past hearing test results
- Any hearing aids you own now, including over-the-counter (OTC) ones
- Your HSA or FSA card or plan details, if you plan to use them
It also helps to jot down the places where hearing is hardest for you. Think work meetings, phone calls, restaurants or the TV at home. Some people like to have a spouse or family member join them, too.
Step by step: what happens at your appointment
- Getting to know you. Ruben asks about your hearing, your daily life, your work and the situations that matter most to you. This shapes everything that follows.
- Your hearing evaluation. Ruben gives you a full hearing test to measure how well you hear different sounds and speech. This sets your baseline.
- Your results in plain words. Ruben walks you through what the test shows, what it means for your daily life, and whether hearing aids could help.
- Options and pricing, if you need them. If hearing aids make sense, Ruben reviews options from several brands and technology levels. You get a clear quote before you commit to anything.
- Time for your questions. Ask anything. There’s no pressure to decide on the spot.
If your evaluation shows something outside the scope of hearing aid care, Ruben will tell you and point you toward the right kind of medical care.
If you choose hearing aids
Ocean Wave Hearing follows a five-step process from start to finish:
- Hearing test to understand your hearing
- Technology selection matched to your hearing, lifestyle and budget
- Personalized programming set to your test results
- Professional fitting so your hearing aids are comfortable and work well (curious about the tech? here is how hearing aids work)
- Follow-up adjustments to fine-tune them as you get used to them
Every fitting comes with a 45-day no-risk trial, so you can try your hearing aids at work, at home and out with friends before you decide.
Good questions to ask at your appointment
This is your time, so use it. Here are a few questions many people find helpful:
- What do my test results mean for work, phone calls and noisy places?
- Do I need hearing aids now, or should we test again later?
- Which styles would work for my hearing, and how discreet are they?
- What’s included in the price, and what isn’t?
- How does the 45-day no-risk trial work?
- Can I use my HSA, FSA or insurance benefits?
There’s no such thing as too many questions. Write yours down before the visit so you don’t forget.
Your first weeks with hearing aids
Getting used to hearing aids can take some time. Sounds you haven’t heard clearly in a while, like footsteps, the fridge or your own voice, may seem loud at first. That’s normal. Follow-up visits are there so Ruben can fine-tune your settings as you settle in. If something doesn’t feel right, call. You don’t have to wait for your next visit.
At home or at the office
Ruben comes to your home anywhere in the Coastal Bend. It can save you a trip and lets you talk in a relaxed setting. It also means you can test your hearing aids in the rooms where you actually live. Prefer to come in? You can visit the Corpus Christi office instead.
Success measured in outcomes and trust
Ruben ends the video with this: “Ocean Wave Hearing measures success in outcomes and trust, not profit margins.” For you, that means your visit is about your hearing and your goals. It’s not about hitting a sales number.
Ready to book? Request an appointment, or read about signs it’s time for a hearing test if you’re still deciding.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a hearing appointment take?
It depends on your needs, and Ruben doesn’t rush it. Ask how long to plan for when you book. A first visit covers a talk about your hearing, the hearing evaluation, your results, and, if it makes sense, a look at options and pricing.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can schedule directly with Ocean Wave Hearing. No doctor’s referral is needed for a hearing evaluation.
Can my appointment be at home?
Yes. Ruben comes to your home anywhere in the Coastal Bend, including Corpus Christi, Portland, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, Ingleside, Robstown, Kingsville, Alice and Sinton. You can also visit the Corpus Christi office.
What should I bring?
Bring your insurance card if it applies, a list of medications, any past hearing test results, any hearing aids you own now (including OTC), and your HSA or FSA details if you plan to use them.
Will I be pressured to buy hearing aids?
No. You’ll get your results and, if needed, a clear quote. You can take your time to decide, and if you choose hearing aids, the 45-day no-risk trial lets you try them first.
What happens after I get hearing aids?
Ruben schedules follow-up visits to fine-tune your hearing aids as you get used to them. Follow-up visits are included as outlined at your fitting.
This guide is for general education only. It is not medical, insurance or tax advice, and results vary. If you have sudden hearing loss, ear pain, drainage or dizziness, see a doctor promptly.