Preparing for Your First Hearing Test: What You Should Know

If you suspect that you or a loved one might be experiencing hearing issues, undergoing a hearing assessment with an audiologist is an ideal step to assess your overall hearing health. A hearing test is a straightforward series of evaluations conducted by an audiologist to comprehensively assess your hearing.

The gathered information from these tests will be depicted on an audiogram, pinpointing potential loss in your hearing sensitivity to various pitches or frequencies. Based on the results these tests will help decided which treatment will be best for your needs. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist if you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss.

What is a Hearing Test?

A hearing test is a detailed assessment that can assess how well you hear different sounds. When you undergo this test, an audiologist will perform various assessments to measure your hearing ability across different pitches and volumes. These assessments include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing. Pure-tone audiometry uses different tones to see how well you hear at specific frequencies, while speech audiometry checks your understanding of spoken words. Tympanometry examines the health of your middle ear and OAE testing evaluates your cochlea’s function. Learning about these tests can help you get ready for a hearing exam by giving you an idea of what to expect.

An Audiologist Role in Hearing Test

The role of an audiologist in hearing tests begins with a comprehensive examination of your ears. Using an otoscope, they’ll visually inspect your ear canals to identify potential issues like ear infections, wax buildup or damage. This examination allows them to determine any physical signs that might impact your hearing. Additionally, they’ll discuss your medical history and any specific concerns you have regarding your hearing health. This initial assessment sets the groundwork for a thorough understanding of your auditory needs and guides the subsequent testing process.

Once an audiologist performs a physical exam to determine if these potential issues are the cause of your hearing loss, they will perform a series of test, to understand the levels you can hear.

Preparing for the Test

Preparing for a hearing test involves a few simple yet vital steps for a successful evaluation. Start by noting down specific hearing concerns or situations where you’ve experienced difficulties. Collect information about your medical history, including past ear issues, surgeries or exposure to loud noises. Make a list of current medications as some may affect hearing. Arriving a few minutes early to your appointment eases stress and ensures adequate time for paperwork. Consider bringing along a friend or family member for support and to share their observations about your hearing experiences.

Interpreting Your Results

Once you have completed your hearing test, you will review your results with an audiologist. Understanding the results of your hearing test with an audiologist involves a detailed review of the assessments carried out. The audiologist will explain the findings in simple terms, using an audiogram – a visual representation of your hearing levels – to illustrate how well you hear different sounds. This helps pinpoint any hearing difficulties or variations. By analyzing the audiogram, the audiologist determines the type and extent of any hearing loss, if present, and its potential reasons. Based on these findings, they suggest suitable treatments like hearing aids or other devices and provide personalized advice to manage your hearing health.

The hearing aids your audiologist can recommend are behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC), completely in canal (CIC) or invisible in canal (IIC). These devices will be tailored to your specific needs and the lifestyle you live. They’ll also address any questions you may have and offer guidance on taking care of your hearing in the future.

By scheduling an appointment with an audiologist, they will be able to guide you through the process of a hearing test. Talk with them about any concerns you have about your hearing. They will be able to show you how to use your hearing aids, maintain and care for them, keeping them in optimal condition.

Are you in search of more helpful hearing care tips or looking to schedule your first hearing test with an audiologist? At Innovative Hearing Care, our audiologists will prepare you for your first hearing test. If you want to learn more about what to expect, the services we offer or which hearing aids will benefit you the most, call us today at (951) 291-9081. We can’t wait to hear from you.