Hearing test or audiometric test evaluates a person’s ability to hear. It particularly measures the ability of a sound to reach the person’s brain. A hearing test can help specialists address hearing loss, and allow the patient to improve the quality of his life.
Anyone can have hearing loss. Even the healthiest of individuals may suffer from it. The problem with hearing loss is that it can progress gradually you may not even realize it is happening to you.
However, hearing tests are usually recommended to the following people:
- Babies and young children as hearing loss may hinder their ability to speak and understand a language. All newborns in the US, for example, are recommended to undergo a hearing test according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
- Children ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years old, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is to check whether there are hearing-related problems that can affect the speech, behavior, and learning of children. Normal hearing is vital for the proper language development in children.
- Older adults. Hearing loss is usually mistaken for reduced mental capacity, as the person may have a difficult time responding to the conversation. Moreover, hearing loss is very common among older adults with approximately one in three older adults between 65 and 74 years of age having the said condition.
- People who are taking certain medications that can cause hearing loss. There are more than 200 medications and chemicals that have been proven to have hearing loss as one of their side effects. These medications include antibiotics, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, and medications for erectile dysfunction.
- Individuals whose jobs expose them to dangerous noise levels every day. These includes carpenters and plumbers, which according to studies are the most prone to hearing loss. Sectors like mining, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and military are also considered to have workplaces that expose workers to high noise levels every day.
Musicians may also be prone to hearing loss. It is not uncommon for them to wear special earplugs to protect their ears against dangerous noise levels.
- People who suffered from heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure as these ailments can interfere with the blood supply in the ears and can cause hearing loss.
- People with ear infection or ear wax that can block the ear canals and affect their hearing.
If you think you need a hearing test & assessment or a hearing aid prescription, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com