You’ve been contemplating on undergoing a hearing test for many years, but it’s only now that you have mustered the courage to do so. Now that you are booked for your very first hearing test, it is likely that you have some butterflies in your stomach. Maybe you’re unsure on what to bring, what to prepare, and what to expect from it.
If you’re worried that the procedure will take a lot of time, then fret not as a hearing test will only take an hour. It’s also painless so there’s no need to worry about getting aches from it. And it is relatively cheap.
All hearing specialists typically have the same basic regimen including examining your health history and conducting tests to see how well you hear.
The test starts with the specialist asking you questions regarding your health history, and to determine if you have a family history of hearing problems. You may also be asked about experiences in your life that could have affected your hearing like frequent ear infections when you were still young. You’ll aso be probed about the medications you take, as certain common medications are ototoxic or harmful to the ears.
Then the hearing specialist will make a visual inspection of your ears with the use of an otoscope, a lighted device that magnifies the inner hear. Another device that may be used during the test is the video otoscope, which allows you to see your ear canal on a large video screen. You will then be briefed by the specialist as you look at the display.
The specialist will be looking for obstructions like earwax, infections, and other conditions that can affect your hearing.
You may also go through audiometry test which provides a precise measurement of hearing. In this test you will be asked to wear earphones which are connected to the audiometer. Sounds of different intensity are delivered to the ear one at a time, and you will be asked to raise a hand or press a button to indicate that you heard the sound.
If the doctor determines that there is no medical reason for hearing loss, he will move on to the testing of certain tones and speech recognition. This is done through several tests like air conduction test, speech test, and bone conduction test. Your responses to the tests will be plotted on an audiogram, a chart that shows the degree and type of hearing loss you have. The speech test, meanwhile, will help in determining the type of hearing aid you may need.
If you would like learn more about our hearing test & assessment services, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com