4 FAQs About Hearing Tests

Hearing tests are used by hearing professionals up and down the country. They’re one of the best avenues for figuring out if you any hearing problems, while also assessing the health of each ear. Almost everyone will need a hearing test at some point in their life, but very few people actually get them until they notice problems with their hearing. As a result, not as many are familiar with hearing tests as they are with eye tests or physical examinations. It’s understandable that you may have loads of questions about these tests before you book one with your hearing care provider. Consider some of the common questions about hearing tests:

How long do they take?

Most people are concerned with how long it takes to have their hearing tested. The duration of your examination depends on the hearing specialist carrying it out, and the extent of any problems you have. Generally speaking, a hearing test appointment takes about one hour. Don’t worry — you won’t be undergoing testing for that full time; the appointment will include talking with the hearing healthcare professional about your medical history, lifestyle and needs.

Where do I go to get a hearing test?

Surprisingly, some people aren’t sure where they actually get hearing tests. Realistically, you should contact a hearing health professional in your area — preferably one with a positive track record. It’s advisable to do some research, ask your friends or family for recommendations and check online reviews before booking your appointment. You need to see someone you can trust, as this is a pretty important test and you want accurate results.

What actually happens during a hearing test?

Naturally, the most frequently asked question of all is what goes on during a hearing test? Most tests follow a similar pattern; your hearing care provider asks you to fill in some forms and then discusses your medical and hearing history with you. Next, the hearing healthcare professinal will inspect your ear using tools. He or she will check your eardrum health and see if there’s any earwax build-up in your ear canal. After this, they move into the testing phases, where they put you in a soundproof room with headphones over your ears. They’ll administer a tone test, which is where you receive different tones through the headphones at various volumes, and are asked to indicate when you hear them. You will also likely undergo speech testing, which is where you receive different words and phrases through the headphones and have to repeat what you hear. After the test, you’ll be given your results, and your hearing specialist will explain the next steps to take.

What happens if I have hearing loss?

If the results of your test show you’ve got signs of hearing loss, then your hearing health professional will tell you exactly what happens next. They will recommend different treatments, which vary depending on what’s causing your loss of hearing. Treatment could be a simple bit of ear cleaning if they discover wax during the physical examination of your ear, or they may think about hearing aids if your hearing is considerably bad. They’ll ask you to book follow-up appointments and work with you the whole time to ensure your hearing problems are dealt with. We hope that this post has answered a few burning questions you had regarding hearing tests. They’re fairly quick exams, with no pain involved at all, so it’s well worth getting one just to check your hearing and identify problems as early as possible.