Whether you’re starting to get a little older and intend to ensure that you stay in good health as a senior, or you have experienced signs of hearing loss in your daily life, it’s a good idea to arrange for a hearing exam. If you have never had one before, it’s easy to understand why you might have a little apprehension. However, these simple appointments are non-invasive and easy to get through. Here’s what you can expect from yours.
Arriving at your appointment
Upon arrival, the receptionist will likely provide you with forms to fill out while you wait for your appointment. These forms will typically request personal and insurance information, as well as details about your medical history. Providing this information in advance helps the audiologist gather relevant details that may aid in accurately diagnosing any issues with your ear and hearing health.
Meeting your audiologist
Before conducting any tests, the audiologist will likely ask you about your hearing health and overall medical history. Preparing for your hearing test can include collecting all of the information you need to answer any questions they have. These questions may cover past illnesses, injuries, treatments, and medications. Additionally, you will be asked to describe any hearing concerns or changes you have noticed. Your personal experiences with health changes can provide valuable insights for the audiologist in diagnosing potential issues.
The visual examination
After asking questions, the audiologist will likely begin by examining your ear with an otoscope, a handheld device used to inspect the ear canal. This allows them to view the outer and middle ear and quickly identify issues such as earwax buildup, fluid, or infections that might be impacting your hearing. Not all of the causes of hearing loss can be immediately treated, but if it is caused by obstructions, then clearing it out may offer some immediate relief.
The hearing test
After the visual examination, the hearing test will begin, usually in a soundproof booth or room. You might be asked to wear headphones or listen to a speaker as the audiologist plays a range of tones of differing pitches and volumes. You will be asked to make a response when you hear them. A speech test might also involve listening to speeches at different pitches and levels of background noise, repeating what you hear as accurately as you can.
Going over your results
During the hearing test, your audiologist will be tallying the results on a chart, which is known as an audiogram. Your audiologist will read your audiogram alongside you, showing you your range of hearing, which can indicate whether or not you are experiencing hearing loss, and what level that hearing loss is. If there are indications of hearing loss, the most likely course of treatment is to recommend and fit you for hearing aids.
A good audiologist will see you through the exam from beginning to end, letting you know precisely what to do and how to read your results. Hopefully, however, the tips above help you feel a little more prepared for your trip.
