When facing hearing difficulties, the first step is to get a hearing test. This evaluation will identify the type and severity of your hearing loss. Are you worried about going to your first hearing test? The unknown can be stressful. Here’s what to expect during a hearing test. We want you to feel prepared and confident as you take the first step to better hearing health.
Before the Test
Your journey begins the moment you decide to schedule a hearing test. Here’s what the initial process generally looks like:
Scheduling the Appointment
Reach out to us to book your hearing test. When you’re making the appointment, we might ask you a few questions about your hearing concerns, medical history, and insurance details.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Gather and list details of your medical history, current medications, and any specific hearing challenges you’re facing. This information will help us tailor the hearing test and subsequent recommendations to your needs. If you want more information on what to bring, you can contact us for more suggestions.
During the Test: The Evaluation Process
Understanding the various components of a hearing test can make you feel a lot more relaxed during your hearing test. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during the test:
Otoscopic Examination
This preliminary check involves the use of an otoscope, a tool that enables us to inspect the ear canal and eardrum visually. It’s used to identify any visible abnormalities or blockages, such as earwax, that might affect your hearing.
Pure Tone Testing
This is the core of most hearing tests. Pure tone testing assesses your ability to hear a variety of tones at different volumes. You’ll wear headphones connected to an audiometer, and we’ll play sounds at different frequencies and volumes in each ear separately. You’ll indicate each time you hear a sound, usually by pressing a button or raising your hand.
Speech Recognition Testing
To understand how well you can understand speech, speech recognition tests are conducted in both quiet and noisy environments. You’ll listen to spoken words or sentences and repeat them back. This helps in assessing your speech recognition abilities and how background noise affects your hearing.
Bone Conduction Testing
In some cases, we use bone conduction testing to determine the nature of your hearing loss — whether it’s sensorineural (related to the inner ear) or conductive (related to the outer or middle ear). This involves placing a device behind your ear to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
Tympanometry
This test evaluates the health of the middle ear and eardrum by measuring how they respond to changes in air pressure. It can help identify issues like fluid in the middle ear, eardrum perforations, or Eustachian tube dysfunction.
After the Test: Understanding the Results
Following the testing, we will review and explain your results. We’ll discuss the type and severity of any hearing loss identified and recommend some treatment options. This could include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or referrals for medical treatment if required.
Choosing Treatment Options
Your hearing care professional will guide you through the available options for improving your hearing and quality of life. If we recommend hearing aids we’ll help you select the right model based on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and preferences. We also provide ongoing support, such as hearing aid fitting, adjustments, and repairs.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Looking after your hearing health is not a one-time event. Regular check-ups and maintenance appointments will become an integral part of your routine. These sessions are essential for monitoring your hearing, making necessary adjustments to hearing aids, and addressing any new concerns.
Contact Us Today
A hearing test can provide valuable insights into your hearing health and help you learn more about the steps you can take to improve it. By knowing what to expect, you can approach your hearing test with confidence.
No matter where you are in your hearing health journey, remember that help is available. If you or a loved one has noticed changes in hearing, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive hearing test. This is your first step toward clearer hearing and better living.