3 Things to Expect at Your Hearing Test

Regardless of whether you suffer from hearing loss or not, you should all have at least one hearing test in your life. They exist for a reason; to make sure your hearing is still in good condition, and to diagnose any problems you might have. As a consequence, your audiologist can use the results of your test to figure out the right course of treatment, if you’re found to have hearing problems.

Naturally, most people are a little bit worried and nervous before their first ever hearing test. Even though it’s completely painless, there are still some jitters because you don’t know what to expect. So, to help you be better prepared for your hearing test, here are three things you should expect:

An inspection of your ears

Contrary to what you might believe, a hearing test appointment doesn’t just focus on whether or not you can hear certain sounds. Before your actual test begins, you’ll have an inspection of your ears. This is where your audiologist will examine each ear and take a look inside to see how things are doing. They may use some tools here, including a small otoscope. Don’t be afraid, this doesn’t hurt at all, and barely causes any discomfort. It’s a chance to see if there are any problems in your ear that may indicate hearing loss, such as a build-up of wax. This is also a good way of seeing how healthy your ears are, which is always a nice bonus.

A pressure test, tone test & speech test

The actual hearing test itself can be made up of three different tests. In most cases, you will definitely have tone and speech tests. The tone test is when you’re sent into a soundproof room, asked to put on some headphones, and then different tones and pitches are sent through for you to try and hear. The speech test is when your audiologist will say different sentences or words to you, and you’ll have to repeat back what they’ve said. With the pressure test, you’re essentially going to have your eardrums tested to see if they’re working properly and transmitting sound as they should.

The results and your next course of action

Lastly, you should expect to receive your results right away. There will be no waiting around, no need to book another appointment to get them, they’ll be given straight after. When your results are given to you, your audiologist will talk about the next course of action. This may include discussions about possible hearing aids, or tips to help you avoid damaging your hearing any further. Then, you can book a follow-up appointment – if necessary – and take things from there.

Of course, all hearing tests start with a few questions about your medical history and lifestyle – but that’s something most people are already expecting. Hopefully, these three things have helped you understand what a typical hearing test looks like. Now, you should be more prepared, and have nothing to worry about! It’s highly advised you book a hearing test appointment if you feel like your hearing has gotten worse, or you constantly have ringing in your ears. They last an hour max, so there’s no excuse for avoiding one.