Your hearing instrument specialist (HIS) can provide you with a hearing test, designed to show your range of hearing and to help spot the signs of hearing loss. With the results of the test, they can help you choose the right hearing aids to suit your needs, if you require them. Hearing tests are relatively simple but, if you have never had one before, you may not know what to expect. Your hearing instrument specialist can inform you of what you can expect and how to prepare.

What’s Involved in a Hearing Test?

Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, your hearing instruments specialist will run a series of test to determine your level of hearing loss. However, in most cases, they’re going to begin with a one-to-one conversation, going over your medical history, any symptoms related to your hearing or ear health, as well as your lifestyle, occupation and hobbies, especially those that involve loud noise.

Following this, there may be a visual examination of the ear. Your hearing instrument specialist may look at the outer ear and use an otoscope to look into the middle ear. If they see an earwax buildup, they might offer a professional cleaning, just to make sure that the results of the hearing test are as accurate as possible.

The hearing test itself usually involves putting you in a soundproof or acoustically designed environment, such as a sound booth. There, using either a speaker or headphones, your hearing instrument specialist will play a range of audio stimuli. This can include tones, specific sounds and speech, which you will respond to. Based on the results of the test, the HIS will complete an audiogram, which will show your severity of hearing loss.

Bring the Necessary Information

Try to gather what medical information, including medical records, you can and organize them so that they’re in chronological order is possible. This information, including any relevant medical documents, could help your hearing instrument specialist get an idea of underlying hearing health issues. If there is an underlying cause of your hearing loss like earwax buildup, your hearing instrument specialist can remove the earwax, lessening the symptoms. By identifying the underlying causes a HIS can determine the appropriate treatment for you.

Clean Your Ears Before the Test

As mentioned, the hearing instrument specialist may inspect your ears and, if there is a sign of earwax buildup, they may offer to remove it. A cloth with some warm water can help you clean your outer ear. You should make sure to dry it so there is no excess moisture inside. What you should not try to do, however, is to clean inside the ear, especially with cotton swabs. This can end up pushing earwax further inside the ear, which can increase the chance of a blockage and potentially damage your ear canal.

Don’t Attend If You’re Feeling Sick

Some illnesses, such as the common cold, can get in the way of accurate hearing test results. If you’re unwell, let your hearing instrument specialist know and be prepared to reschedule your appointment with them. Any illnesses that cause congestion of the head or pressure in the sinuses can affect the results of your test. This is because your ears are connected to your sinuses. Any fluid or pressure can get in the way, so it’s best to wait until you’ve recovered before you make your appointment.

Be Mindful of Excessive Levels of Noise

You should avoid exposing your ears to loud noise before your test. It’s not wise to attend any concerts or firework shows, going to the shooting range or even to listen to loud music on headphones the day before or the day of your hearing test. Excessive noise levels can change your range of hearing temporarily, which can result in inaccurate hearing test results. Excessive levels of noise are one of the leading causes of long-term hearing loss. If you know you are going to be around loud noise, wear hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs, to protect your hearing.

Schedule a Hearing Test with Hear More Medical Centers of America

If you want to learn more about hearing tests, or you want to arrange one for yourself, then your hearing instrument specialist can help you. Get in touch with Hear More Medical Centers of America. Call us today at (352) 877-9243. We’re glad to answer any questions you might have and to make the path to getting your first hearing test much smoother.