What You Can Expect at Your Hearing Test

Whether you’re worried about potential hearing loss or simply think it’s time to have your ears checked, booking an appointment with a professional hearing care provider is the first step on the road to success. 

Thankfully, you can remove many of those worries simply by educating yourself ahead of the visit. Here’s what to expect from your appointment with the hearing specialist.

You will need to provide some background information

Paperwork is needed at all medical appointments, but the background information is particularly important ahead of the hearing examination as the details can provide solid insight that helps the hearing health professional provide an accurate diagnosis.

The hearing professional will want to know:

• Details of your family history, particularly in relation to hereditary hearing loss. 
• Details of your individual medical history, especially conditions that could impact your hearing.
• Details of any medications you’re on, as they can cause side effects.
• Details of any concerns you may have in relation to your hearing.

Other important documents will include insurance information and contact details.

Your ears will be physically inspected

As far as the hearing test itself is concerned, visual inspections will form the first central part of the process. The hearing health provider will conduct this part of the examination with an otoscope, which is a handheld scope that allows the hearing specialist to check for physical abnormalities and medical conditions.

The physical inspection can also check for wax buildups and similar issues that could be the source of temporary hearing problems.

You will undergo various hearing tests

Hearing examinations include a wide range of hearing tests to help the hearing specialist gain a comprehensive understanding of your hearing profile. Checking all aspects of your hearing will provide clarity relating to the volumes you can hear, range of pitches you can detect, the ability to separate dialogue from background noise, and more.

The hearing care professional will tailor the examination phases according to the results found and the concerns you may have. The most common hearing tests utilized during the process are:

• Pure-tone testing,
• Speech testing,
• Bone conduction testing,
• Tympanometry, 
• Acoustic reflex testing,
• Otoacoustic emissions,
• Auditory brainstem response.

Different techniques and equipment are used depending on the specific tests. In most cases, the various examinations will last for a total time of around an hour.

You will discuss the results and next steps

If the hearing care provider finds that you have healthy hearing, the most likely outcome is that you will be advised to book a future appointment in one to three years depending on your age and background. You may also gain advice on ear defense and protection.

When hearing loss is detected, the hearing health professional will wish to discuss the severity and type of hearing loss before discussing hearing aid devices and other management techniques. In most cases, this will conclude with booking another appointment for the hearing aid fitting process.