Getting the Most out of Your Hearing Test: A Detailed Guide

If your hearing has changed, booking an audiologist appointment is the first step in determining whether you’re experiencing hearing loss. Your audiologist will go through a hearing test with you to establish whether you have hearing loss and, if so, what level you have. To make the most of your hearing test, you can take a few steps to prepare before your appointment. This comprehensive guide will explore getting the most out of your hearing test.

How Can I Prepare for a Hearing Test?

It can help to make some notes about the symptoms of hearing loss you are experiencing so that you can share these with your audiologist. Avoid exposure to excessively loud noises the day before your appointment, as these can affect the results. Take a list of any medications as some medications can be a side effect of hearing loss. During your appointment, remain quiet to ensure the hearing tests work correctly. You might want to take someone to the appointment if it helps you feel comfortable.

Researching what to expect before the appointment can help you prepare for your hearing test. There is nothing to worry about before your hearing test, but sometimes, researching can help you feel more informed about the process.

What To Expect from Your Hearing Test

Your audiologist will first talk to you to understand how your hearing has changed. They will then go through a series of tests and ear inspections to assess whether you are experiencing hearing loss. Their tests will give them a better understanding of your hearing loss and how they can help.

Otoscope Examination

The first step in a hearing test is to visually inspect the ear to check for any earwax build-up, medical conditions or other issues outside of hearing loss that might impact hearing. Your audiologist may use a tool called an otoscope. This device has a cone-shaped end in your ear and a lens your audiologist can see through to better examine the inside of your ear.

Hearing Tests

After your otoscope examination, your audiologist will move on to the hearing tests themselves. Some tests include audiometry tests, which involve wearing headphones and listening to a series of tones in each ear to establish the lowest levels of sound they can pick up. The sounds are measured in decibels (dBs).

Word recognition tests explore your ability to hear sounds against background noise. If speech sounds muffled or quiet in your audiologist’s office, you might need a hearing aid that helps filter out background or loud noises. Certain hearing aids contain features that help redirect speech back into the ear to increase the user’s hearing ability.

Acoustic reflex tests measure your ear’s response to loud sounds. Your muscles tighten in the presence of louder noises. If they don’t respond to louder noises, this can be a sign of hearing loss. Acoustic reflex tests are similar to tympanometry tests and are measured using a device in the ear.

Write Down Questions

Asking questions during your hearing test is a great way to learn and ease any worries you might have. But sometimes, when it’s time for the test, you might forget the questions you wanted to ask. To help remember them, it’s a good idea to write your questions down before or after your test. Asking questions will help you to further understand your hearing loss, and what type of treatments will be right for you.

How Do I Know If I Have Hearing Loss?

The standard hearing range picks up sounds from zero decibels (dBs) to around 20dBs. Mild hearing loss is between 20-40dBs, moderate is 40-60dBs and severe is 60-90dBs. Profound hearing loss is any loss above 90dBs. If you have hearing loss, your audiologist may advise on suitable hearing aids to help you hear better.

Scheduling an appointment with an audiologist is an essential first step in getting a hearing test. When you attend your test, your audiologist will speak with you briefly and complete several assessments on both ears, including an otoscope examination, word recognition tests and acoustic reflex tests. If you are experiencing hearing loss, your audiologist may suggest hearing aids. Your audiologist may recommend behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids.

A hearing test is a natural part of maintaining your ear health. With the support of a qualified audiologist, you can establish whether you have hearing loss, the cause of the hearing loss and gain support in improving your hearing. If you want to learn more about hearing test get in touch with The Hearing and Tinnitus Center. Call us today at 720-420-7780.