How Long Has It Been Since
Your Last Hearing Test?
A recent study indicated that 1 out of 8 Americans experience hearing loss, which is likely the result of increased exposure to loud noise, making hearing loss the third most common health concern across the nation.
In spite of these alarming statistics, we focus our attention on regular dental and vision testing as well as having our blood pressure and cholesterol checked, but we place regular hearing assessments far down the list of health care priorities.
One of the most difficult aspects of recognizing a hearing loss is the fact that it comes on gradually, similar to how you have noticed that your child has gotten older, but you couldn’t see them growing from day to day. This is why somebody close to you is likely to notice your hearing loss before you do.
Though age deterioration is among the leading causes of hearing loss, anyone of any age can develop hearing loss due to a variety of circumstances like:
- Birth defects
- Ongoing exposure to loud noise (work, nightclubs, music in your headphones)
- Head injuries
- Various types of illnesses
- Ototoxic medications.
Regular hearing assessments can help identify hearing issues no matter the cause and regardless of whether you are aware that you are losing your hearing.
They are quick, non-invasive, and simple – the perfect first step on your journey to better hearing.
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss early on is crucial, and scheduling a hearing test is the first step toward better hearing health.
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“My father has had nothing but a positive experience through audiology associates. He has been able to ask questions about his treatment and he is able to understand what he is supposed to be looking out for and doing to make sure that he is adjusting his devices properly. I am very happy with the service he receives. From the person who answers the phone, to the one who is checking him into the office for his appointments, everyone is patient with him. Thank you to all of the staff there for making my dad feel comfortable during a time when he was very nervous about his hearing loss. We appreciate you”
What to Expect During Your Hearing Assessment
1. A Welcome to Our Office
We want to get to know you better so we can fully understand why you’ve decided to have your hearing tested, like the early signs you experienced prior to your visit.
Whether your visit is because family, friends or coworkers are urging you to seek help, you feel like you’re missing out on a lot during conversation or experiencing ringing in your ears.
We also want you to feel free to ask questions and express your concerns, so you can feel comfortable with us.
2. A Physical Examination of Your ears
We’ll take a look into your ears to make sure they are healthy. We’re looking for anything that could be blocking your ear canal and to verify that there are no structural issues with your eardrum.
Some patients who experience hearing issues discover that the problem is not permanent, but related to inflammation, a bug, growth, or earwax blocking their ear canal.
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss early on is crucial, and scheduling a hearing test is the first step toward better hearing health.
3. Hearing Tests
For the main hearing tests, you will be seated in a soundproof booth and fitted with headphones. You will respond to the tones we transmit at different pitches and volumes by pressing a button.
We will also test how well you hear when someone is speaking by transmitting spoken words into your hearing aids and asking you to repeat what you hear. For a real world understanding of your hearing capacity, we will also do this test adding different types of background noise at various volume levels.
Our objective is to determine what you can hear and what you can’t hear.
4. We’ll Review Your Results
Unlike many tests in healthcare, you don’t have to wait for the results. As soon as we finish your test we will look at your results, which are printed on an Audiogram.
This graph is a visual illustration of what you are hearing well and the areas where you are struggling. We’ll explain each area with you, and then develop a plan together for helping you hear better.
The Audiology Associates Difference: The Steps That We Take to Deliver The Highest Levels of Hearing Evaluations
PLACEHOLDER
Comprehensive Discussion
A comprehensive discussion allows the doctor to understand your overall health and any factors that may be affecting your hearing, which can help to identify potential causes of hearing loss and guide appropriate treatment.
This in-depth conversation is an essential part of your hearing assessment, helping us tailor our approach to meet your specific hearing needs.
Visual Inspection of Ears
A visual inspection can detect any potential issues that may interfere with the accuracy of the tests, such as earwax buildup or damage to the ear canal.
Middle Ear Function Tests
Middle ear function tests can identify any issues with the movement of the eardrum and middle ear bones, which can help to diagnose certain types of hearing loss.
These precise measurements are crucial components of your comprehensive hearing test, ensuring we capture a full picture of your auditory health.
Inner Ear Sensory Cell Screening
Screening for inner ear sensory cell function can identify any damage or dysfunction in the sensory cells that respond to sound, which can help to diagnose certain types of hearing loss.
Hearing Level Measurements
Measuring hearing levels can provide information about the degree and configuration of your hearing loss, which is important in determining appropriate treatment options.
Speech Understanding Tests
Speech understanding tests can assess your ability to understand speech, which is an important aspect of hearing ability in everyday life.
Recommendations
The doctor will provide recommendations for the best treatment options, which may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices, based on your specific hearing needs and goals.
If you’re also having a hearing consultation, then the steps are as follows:
PLACEHOLDER
Discussion of Hearing Goals
This step allows the doctor to understand your hearing needs and expectations, which helps to ensure that your hearing aids are tailored to your specific needs.
Visual Inspection of Ears
A visual inspection can detect any potential issues that may interfere with the effectiveness of your hearing aids, such as earwax buildup or damage to the ear canal.
Replacement of Disposable Parts
Replacing disposable parts ensures optimal performance and hygiene of your hearing aids, which can help to reduce the risk of infection and improve sound quality.
Real Ear Measurements (REM)
REM is an important step in ensuring that your hearing aids are providing the best possible benefit, as it allows the doctor to verify that your hearing aids are meeting prescriptive targets.
Additional Tests
Additional tests, such as speech recognition tests, can provide more information about your hearing ability and help to ensure that your hearing aids are working optimally.
Recommendations
The doctor will provide recommendations for the best hearing aids or other listening devices that fit your needs and budget, which can improve your overall hearing ability and quality of life.
Schedule A Hearing Assessment
A comprehensive hearing assessment is your first step toward regaining the independent and rewarding lifestyle you are missing due to hearing loss.
An open and honest discussion about your hearing issues with a professional audiologist enhances the accuracy of the diagnosis and greater precision when it comes to treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with hearing, your best solution is to schedule a comprehensive hearing assessment to find out why.
Simply complete the form opposite and we will be in touch to arrange a mutually beneficial date and time.
