Getting a hearing test is a non-invasive way to identify a decline in your hearing ability. The tests offered at Byron’s Hudson Valley Hearing Aid Centers check for any past or present hearing-related conditions. Every individual is unique, so their specific evaluations will be based on their own personal case history. The hearing care professionals at the center are available to answer any questions related to tests or potential treatment options.
Before the Hearing Evaluation
Remote hearing care can touch on some of the basics before scheduling a hearing evaluation. This is a good choice for individuals that are unsure if they have hearing issues. If an appointment needs to be scheduled, then there are three things to prioritize before the big day.
Past medical history is required to get accurate results for the hearing evaluation. If there are problems retrieving this information, keep the lines of communication open. Sometimes the patient will have to fill in the blanks when information is not readily available.
Filling in the blanks is another priority before the hearing evaluation. It goes beyond paperwork and includes painting a clear picture for the hearing care professional. Any symptoms, life events or quirks about hearing should be written down for later discussion. On the day of the appointment, this information is always a helpful addition.
If possible, bring along a friend or loved one. They can provide additional support and help you remember to ask any questions you may have. Hearing loss is a life-changing event and can often be scary to confront. Having someone there to share the burden is an effective deterrent to that fear.
Testing
Evaluations can take up to an hour, but times will always vary. Accuracy is important, and some tests may run longer than others. Pure-tone audiometry is a tone related test that measures the lowest frequency heard in each ear. Speech audiometry runs live or recorded speech in a quiet setting. This is similar to a pure-tone evaluation but tests an individual’s ability to recognize speech. Tympanometry tests acoustic reflexes but isn’t considered a mandatory test.
There are several subcategories of tests that give hearing care professionals options during the evaluation. Combining the right mix of tests is the key to gaining insight into the severity of hearing loss. When everything comes together in clear detail, the results are explained based on the finished audiogram. This leads to the next step, which opens the door for asking more questions about moving forward with treatment options.