What To Know Before You Get Your Hearing Test: Get The Most Out Of Your Assessment

Does your job or lifestyle have you exposed to loud noises on a regular basis? Are you beginning to notice a decline in your hearing as you age? If you’re concerned about the state of your ears, and want to get the most out of a hearing assessment, then this article is for you. Read on to find out what steps can help you get the most of your hearing test results.

What is a Hearing Test?

A hearing test is an important measure to assess your hearing health. There are many types of hearing tests, but they all have one common goal: to determine if you have a hearing problem and, if so, what type of problem it is.

There are two basic types of hearing tests: objective and subjective. Objective tests measure how well your ears are functioning. Subjective tests ask you questions about your hearing and how it affects your life.

Most people will have both types of tests during a comprehensive hearing assessment. This assessment should be conducted by a qualified audiologist who can answer all of your questions and help you understand the results of your tests.

What Questions Should I Ask My Audiologist Before a Hearing Assessment?

Before you get your hearing assessment, there are some important questions you should ask your audiologist. This will help ensure that you get the most out of your assessment and can make an informed decision about your hearing health.

1. What is the purpose of the hearing assessment?

Your audiologist should be able to explain the purpose of the hearing assessment and what it will entail. This will help you understand what to expect from the assessment and how it can benefit you.

2. How long will the assessment take?

The length of the hearing assessment will vary depending on the type of assessment being conducted. However, your audiologist should be able to give you an estimate of how long the assessment will take so you can plan accordingly.

3. What type of testing will be involved?

There are various types of testing that can be used during a hearing assessment. Your audiologist should be able to explain the different types of testing that may be used and why they are being used. This will help you understand the results of the assessment and how they pertain to your hearing health.

What Tests Are Involved in a Hearing Assessment?

There are a variety of tests that may be conducted during a hearing assessment. The type of test(s) performed will depend on the individual’s symptoms and the suspected cause of the hearing loss.

Some common tests used to assess hearing include:

• Pure tone audiometry: This test measures an individual’s ability to hear different pitches of sound. A series of tones are presented at different volumes and frequencies, and the person being tested is asked to indicate when they hear each tone.
• Tympanometry: This test assesses the function of the eardrum and middle ear by measuring how well the eardrum moves in response to changes in pressure.
• Acoustic immittance testing: This test assesses the function of the middle ear by measuring how well sound waves are able to travel through the middle ear space. It can also help identify any blockages in the middle ear.
• Speech audiometry: This test measures an individual’s ability to understand speech. Different words or sentences are presented at different volumes and speeds, and the person being tested is asked to repeat what they hear.

What Happens During the Hearing Test?

When you arrive for your hearing test, the first thing the audiologist will do is ask you questions about your medical history and any concerns you have about your hearing. They will also ask you about any medications you are taking that could potentially affect your hearing. This is called a case history.

Next, the clinician will conduct a physical examination of your ear using an instrument called an otoscope. This allows them to look in your ear canal and eardrum to check for any obvious problems.

After that, they will carry out some simple tests to assess your hearing. These will involve you listening to different sounds through headphones and responding when you hear them. The audiologist will gradually make the sounds quieter to see how well you can hear them.

These tests will give the audiologist an idea of how well you can hear different frequencies of sound. They will use this information to work out whether you have a hearing loss and, if so, how severe it is.

How Can I Prepare for My Hearing Test?

If you’re scheduled for a hearing test, you may be wondering how to prepare. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure that you get the most out of your assessment.

First, it’s important to understand what will happen during the test. The audiologist will likely conduct both an audiogram and speech comprehension test. During the audiogram, pure tones will be presented at different volumes and frequencies to evaluate your hearing thresholds. The speech comprehension test assesses your ability to understand spoken words at different volumes and rates of speech.

There is no specific preparation required for either of these tests, but you should avoid any excessively loud noises for at least 24 hours before the test.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your hearing test is accurate and informative.

How Can I Understand My Results Better?

If you’ve never had a hearing test before, or if it’s been a while, you may be wondering what to expect and how to interpret the results. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand your hearing test results better.

There are two types of hearing tests: air conduction and bone conduction. Air conduction measures how well sound waves travel through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Bone conduction measures how well vibrations from the bones in the middle ear are transmitted to the inner ear.

Both types of tests produce what’s called an audiogram. This is a graph that shows the softest sound level (threshold) that you can hear at different frequencies (pitches). The lower the threshold, the better your hearing is at that frequency.

The audiogram will also show whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate, or severe. In general, mild hearing loss means you have difficulty understanding speech when there’s background noise present; moderate hearing loss means you have difficulty understanding speech even when it’s loud and clear; and severe hearing loss means you can only hear very loud sounds or no sound at all.

If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your audiologist for clarification. They can help you understand what your results mean and what, if any, treatment options may be available to help improve your hearing.

Conclusion

Getting a hearing test can be an intimidating process, but it is essential to make sure your hearing health is in top condition. Before you book your appointment, take the time to learn exactly what a hearing test entails and follow our tips on how to get the most out of it. With plenty of preparation and knowledge under your belt before you go in for your assessment, you can feel confident that you will receive the best possible care.

To book a diagnostic hearing test at CVH Audiology in Benoni or Bedfordview, please call our office on 011 615 3047 or email candice@cvhaudiology.co.za