Hearing is one of our most vital senses, allowing us to connect with the world around us. But what happens when your hearing starts to change? That’s where hearing tests come in. These tests are a crucial step in understanding your hearing health and identifying potential issues. Here’s what to expect during your next hearing test.
1. Scheduling Your Appointment
The first step is to schedule your hearing test! This appointment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, so be prepared to spend some time at our office. You can expect to discuss any concerns or symptoms related to your hearing.
2. The Initial Consultation
Your hearing healthcare professional will start with an initial consultation to better understand your hearing health. We’ll ask questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and any specific hearing difficulties you’ve encountered. This information helps us tailor the test to your individual needs.
3. Physical Examination
The next step often includes a physical examination of your ears. We’ll inspect your ear canals using an otoscope to check for any visible issues, such as earwax blockages or physical abnormalities. Don’t worry, this is completely non-invasive and it’s not painful.
4. Pure-Tone Audiometry
The first hearing test is a pure-tone audiometry test. You’ll be seated in a soundproof booth or room and asked to wear headphones. You’ll hear a series of tones at varying frequencies and volumes and will indicate when you can hear them by pressing a button or raising your hand. This test helps create an audiogram, a graph that shows your hearing thresholds at different frequencies.
5. Speech Audiometry
Speech audiometry tests assess your ability to hear and understand spoken words at different volumes. You’ll listen to words or sentences through the headphones and repeat them. This test evaluates your speech discrimination and helps determine your ability to understand speech in various situations.
6. Tympanometry
Tympanometry tests can assess the mobility of your eardrum and the function of your middle ear. A small probe is placed in your ear to change the air pressure in your ear canal. We’ll measure how your eardrum responds. This test can identify issues like eustachian tube dysfunction or problems with the middle ear.
7. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
Otoacoustic emissions are sounds produced by the inner ear in response to external sounds. This test involves placing a small probe in your ear, which emits sounds and measures the inner ear’s response. OAE is often used to assess the function of the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing.
8. Results and Discussion
After the tests, we’ll review the results with you. Together we’ll look at your audiogram, discuss the degree and type of hearing loss, and help you understand more about your hearing health. We’ll also discuss treatment options, such as hearing aids, assistive devices, or medical referrals if necessary.
9. Treatment Recommendations
Hearing tests often include recommendations based on your results. Your hearing care professional will provide guidance on how to manage your hearing health, protect your ears, and, if needed, use hearing aids or assistive devices.
10. Follow-Up
If your hearing care professional recommends hearing aids, you’ll discuss options and get fitted for the devices. We’ll explain how to use and care for your hearing aids, and you’ll schedule follow-up appointments for adjustments and ongoing support.
11. Additional Testing
In some cases, further testing may be required to determine the underlying cause of your hearing issues. This could involve medical evaluations, such as a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
12. Moving Forward
Following your hearing test, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your hearing health. Whether you’re taking proactive steps to preserve your hearing or exploring solutions to address hearing loss, your hearing care professional will be there to support you on your journey to better hearing.
Taking Control of Your Hearing Health
A hearing test is a crucial step in understanding your auditory well-being. By knowing what to expect during the test, you can approach it with confidence and gain valuable insights into your hearing health. Whether it’s for preventive care or addressing existing hearing issues, we’re here to guide you toward a future of better hearing.