If you’re having trouble hearing, whether it’s keeping up with conversations, often asking people to repeat themselves or hearing a ringing sound in your ears, a hearing test is an important first step. At Next Era Hearing, our hearing professionals make sure your test is thorough. During your appointment, we’ll perform a series of tests to check your hearing and pinpoint any issues. Afterward, we’ll go over the results with you in simple terms and discuss ways to improve your hearing. Understanding your hearing is key to communicating better and enjoying the sounds of everyday life.
Who Needs a Hearing Test?
Hearing loss is often overlooked until it starts to affect daily activities. If you’re finding it harder to hear things clearly, it might be time for a hearing test. Signs of hearing loss can include difficulty hearing the doorbell or phone ring, needing to ask people to speak louder or more clearly or asking people to repeat themselves. You might also notice that you often miss parts of movies or podcasts. A hearing test will help you understand what’s causing these issues and what steps you can take to improve your hearing.
What to Expect During a Hearing Test
During a hearing test, you can expect a thorough evaluation that includes a few different types of tests to assess how well you hear. First, your hearing professional will ask about your medical history and any hearing concerns you might have. Then, you’ll be asked to wear headphones or small earphones in a quiet room where various sounds will be played. You’ll need to respond whenever you hear a tone or word, and your hearing professional will adjust the sound levels to determine the softest sound you can hear. Based on these results, they will be able to assess your hearing and suggest the right treatment for you.
- Pure-tone testing: This test uses a series of beeps or tones at different frequencies and volumes. You’ll press a button or raise your hand every time you hear a sound, which helps measure your ability to hear at various pitches.
- Bone conduction testing: In this test, a small device is placed behind your ear to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the bone. This test helps determine if the issue lies in the ear canal or further along in the inner ear or hearing nerve.
- Speech testing: You’ll listen to a series of words or sentences played at different volumes, and your job is to repeat what you hear. This test evaluates how well you understand speech, especially in quieter or more challenging listening environments.
What to Expect from Your Hearing Test Appointment
Hearing test appointments are simple and non-invasive, typically taking around an hour. The actual evaluation usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes. After your hearing test, your hearing professional will sit down with you to go over the results. They’ll explain what the test shows about your hearing ability, including any areas where you may have difficulty hearing certain sounds or frequencies. Based on the results, we’ll provide personalized recommendations, which may include considering a hearing aid. You may want to bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment. They can help you remember everything you learn and to ask all of your important questions. Regardless, we’ll make sure you get all of the information you need to take the next step forward.