FAQs about Hearing Tests | Accurate Hearing Technology Inc

Some 37.5 million American adults acknowledge some degree of hearing loss. Although 28.8. million of them could enjoy sharper, clearer hearing with some assistance from hearing aids, the first step toward that solution involves a thorough hearing evaluation from a professional audiologist with the right tools and skills.

If you value your hearing, you may already know that you need to undergo some sort of testing that can let you know when you might need hearing aids or other hearing treatment. Use these frequently asked questions on the subject to develop a basic understanding of this important form of diagnostic care.

Why Should You Schedule Regular Hearing Tests?

Even if you understand the value of undergoing hearing testing, you might wonder why audiologists recommend regular testing, typically on an annual basis, whether you notice any hearing loss or not. In many cases, hearing loss occurs so gradually and subtly that individuals only recognize it after sustaining significant hearing loss.

Regular hearing tests can catch hearing problems in their earliest stages, possibly long before you'd actually notice the hearing loss in your everyday life. The first of your annual hearing tests provides your audiologist with a baseline measurement of your hearing abilities. The audiologist can then compare it to subsequent test results.

Bear in mind that hearing loss sometimes stems from an underlying health problem that poses its own concerns, from diabetes and osteoporosis (which can affect the bones in the ear) to middle ear and inner ear ailments. Early diagnosis of a hearing problem may actually alert you to such an underlying issue so you can seek treatment.

Why Should You Undergo Professional Testing Instead of Home-Based Testing?

You may have seen various online tests that let you evaluate your own hearing by listening to various test tones. While this approach might seem like a convenient, money-saving alternative to professional testing, it can't give you the depth of evaluation your hearing truly needs.

An in-office hearing evaluation includes numerous tools and techniques that no online testing system can hope to provide. These tests don't just measure your ability to hear different frequency ranges; they can also measure such important factors as the way your skull and facial bones conduct sound.

What Symptoms and Problems Call for Hearing Tests?

You don't need to wait for your annual hearing test date to come around again before seeking an evaluation. If you notice changes in your hearing (not related to an obvious problem such as earwax buildup or an infection), go ahead and schedule your next hearing text right away to determine the nature and extent of the issue.

Hearing trouble doesn't necessarily mean complete or partial deafness across the entire audible frequency range. Watch out for telltale signs of hearing loss such as difficulty following conversations in noisy environments, trouble hearing people over the telephone, ringing in the ears, and the need to keep raising your television's volume.

What Can You Expect From a Professional Hearing Evaluation?

The first phase of professional hearing testing will involve a conversation with your audiologist. This specialist will want to know about your overall medical history, any recent head trauma or illnesses you've experienced, your everyday exposure to loud noise, and any particular symptoms you may have noticed.

You may undergo multiple hearing tests during the evaluation. For instance, pure-tone audiometry measures your ability to hear specific parts of the frequency spectrum. Speech audiometry measures your ability to hear words at different frequencies and volumes. Other tests measure eardrum and middle ear function.

Audiologists use the findings from such tests to plot a visual display called an audiogram. You can then review this audiogram with your audiologist to discuss exactly which frequencies and types of sound give you trouble. From there, you can receive recommendations for hearing aids or other corrective measures.

If you want to get your hearing tested as thoroughly and accurately as possible, schedule an evaluation at Accurate Hearing Technology Inc. Our audiology team can run all the necessary tests, using state-of-the-art equipment, and then advise you on hearing aids or any other hearing care you might need.