Hearing Test
What to expect during a hearing test.
Hearing well enables you to connect with the world around you. Getting your hearing assessed by a trained audiologist is the first step in ensuring you get the most out of your hearing. It may be beneficial if you bring along someone close to you for your hearing test as they can share the experience and also learn about your difficulties.
History Taking
An Audiologist will run through some crucial questions to build a picture of your ear health. This will also include questions about your lifestyle and how your hearing loss might be affecting your quality of life. In some cases, you may need to be referred back to your GP or ENT for further investigation. Audiologists with NHS experience have the added advantage over hearing aid dispensers as they have experience of working closely with ENT in hospitals.
Ear examination and Hearing Test
The audiologist will then perform ear examination using an otoscope. We also use video technology. The audiologist is examining the health of your ear (pinna), ear canal (meatus), eardrum (tympanic membrane) and around it. If there is signs of ear infection or earwax, then this will need to be treated or removed first.
Once the audiologist is happy that your ears are healthy they can proceed. The hearing test involves wearing some headphones which are placed over your ears and a bone conductor which is placed on the bone behind your ear. You will then be presented with some sounds and when you can hear the sound you click a button. This test response is recorded on your unique audiogram and usually takes around 20 minutes to complete.
Discussion
Once the audiologist has completed the hearing test and gathered all of the information about you all of the information will be discussed with you in detail. This is so that you can make an informed decision on the best course of action. Creating a personalised hearing loss treatment plan can get you back on track and enjoying life to the fullest.
Should I have a hearing test?
Unsure you have a hearing loss?
Here are some tell-tale signs that you have a hearing loss:
- You feel as though people are mumbling.
- It is hard to communicate in busy places.
- You often miss the phone or doorbell ringing.
- You are missing the clarity of speech.
- The TV has to be turned up louder than others
- You can't hear birds singing.
- You struggle to hear your grandhildren.
Does this sound like you?
If you can relate to some of those tell-tell signs of hearing loss then book a hearing test with a senior audiologist today.
