What to Expect in a Hearing Test for Hearing Aid Prescription
A hearing test for hearing aid prescription is required because these devices have to be custom fitted to suit your particular needs. A hearing test doesn’t consist of a single examination, but of several which will determine how well you can hear different sounds like speech and tone.
How Hearing Tests are Conducted
Hearing tests are done in quiet rooms or specially designed sound booths, and they’re presided over by state licensed practitioners. Usually these tests will determine if you have some degree of hearing loss and what kind of hearing device you need. Hearing exams can be done anytime but a baseline screening is definitely recommended if you’re 50 years and older.
The latest studies show that the earlier the tests are done, the better the chances of finding the appropriate treatment and also, putting off tests can make things worse in the long run.
When the hearing test begins the audiologist will ask questions about your hearing history and health in general. These questions may include:
You may also be asked if you’ve been subjected to loud noises before or constantly, and if there’s a ringing noise in your ears. You’ll also be asked if you suffer from vertigo, dizziness or ear infections. The reasons why these questions are asked during a hearing test forhearing aidprescriptionis to determine if your hearing problem is symptomatic of another ailment. In addition, the audiologist is going to ask if you’re taking any medications as hearing loss might be a side effect.
Visual Examination and Other Tests
Aside from asking questions the audiologist will examine your ear drum and canal with an otoscope, a lighted device which magnifies the features of your ear. Ear specialists might also use video otoscopes so you can see what the inside of your ear looks like. An otoscope is capable of detecting signs of middle ear or ear canal infections, ear drum perforations and ear wax blockages, helping the doctor make a proper diagnosis. If nothing comes up, a pure tone air conduction test will be performed, which is used to detect the softest tones that you can hear.
During this exam, you’ll be required to sit in a quiet room or booth and wear earphones. Beginning with one ear, you’ll play various frequencies, high to low, one after the other. If you hear a sound, press a button or raise a finger. The sounds get softer and softer until you can no longer hear it, and is used to determine how well you can hear.
Once the hearing test for hearing aid prescription is done, the audiologist will tell you about the findings and recommend a solution. At this point he / she might recommend a hearing device, so feel free to ask about it, what it will be like, what options are available and so on.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com
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