Hearing Tests
Many Americans visit the dentist and the optometrist annually, but unfortunately, many forget about visiting their audiologist. Understanding the health of your ears is just as critical as your other senses!
Hearing loss affects more than 37 million Americans, but since hearing loss often progresses slowly, many people don't immediately realize that they have hearing loss. When you suspect that you have hearing loss, don't wait any longer - Head us for a hearing test.
If you're like most people, you've been waiting seven years from the time you first noticed improvements in your hearing to the time you reach out for help. The idea of the hearing test may feel a little overwhelming. Even the word hearing "test" or "exam" seems disconcerting at first. But we're here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about.
A hearing evaluation is quick and painless, and you'll be out of there in no time. Hearing evaluations are designed to assess if you have a loss of hearing and how serious it is. Here's everything you need to know about a hearing test to know what to expect.
Step #1: A Consultation
We'll discuss your lifestyle and your hearing needs before getting into the tests.During this conversation, we may touch upon different aspects of your hearing, such as the times and environments where you feel the most difficulty hearing, what your work requires in terms of hearing, and any personal or family history of hearing-related issues.Some medicines can affect your hearing and sensitivity to loud noise (whether at work or in a recreational environment). Many hearing disorders could also be hereditary, so learning whether your parents or other family members have had the experience will benefit. We'll ask you to fill out a full medical history before you come in.This conversation is also helpful if we find a hearing loss. We will work with you in drawing up a recovery plan that takes into account your current lifestyle.
Step #2: A Physical Examination
After this chat, we will examine your ears with an otoscope, which allows us to look toward your eardrum inside the ear canal.This lets us decide whether your eardrum and any blockage within your ear canal (such as earwax) have led to a possible hearing loss. We will ask you to remove your hearing aids and glasses for the next portions of the hearing exam.
Step #3: Hearing Test
Now it's time for the hearing tests themselves. Here are some of the most common types we perform.
Pure tone audiometry: You'll sit in a quiet space with headphones while we play a series of sounds into your ear. You will be asked to lift your hand or press a button when you hear a sound.
Speech recognition test: We will play a series of words to you during this test, and you will be asked to repeat them. This tests your ability to hear speech in noisy environments.
Other tests: We might use a bone test to assess how sounds are transmitted through your skull to determine the hearing impairment you might have. These tests are also painless and straightforward and do not require any work from you.
Step #4: Reviewing Your Results
Your test results are recorded on an audiogram, an ear-mapped visual representation of your hearing skills. The audiogram shows us the nature and extent of any hearing loss you might have.We'll explain your audiogram and explain any anomalies we can find. If there is a hearing deficiency, we will discuss with you the next steps.
Step #5: Next Steps & Treatment
If a hearing loss is found, our team will work with you to find the best way to address your hearing needs. Hearing aids are the most used form of hearing loss treatment.
We offer several different hearing aid solutions with state-of-the-art, innovative technology to blend seamlessly into your lifestyle and reconnect you to the essential sounds and conversations in your life.
