How to Prepare for Your Hearing Test
If you’ve never been tested for hearing loss before, you might be wondering what to expect. The best way to alleviate any anxiety or fears is to ready yourself for what’s to come.
When you visit your hearing specialist, you’ll have tests performed that will assess your ears and your brain’s hearing ability in order to determine how well you hear and what type of hearing loss you may have, if any.
It’s important to follow your specialist’s directions when preparing for your hearing test to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly. Here are some suggestions about how to prepare for a hearing test.
Get to Know Your Hearing Specialist
The first step in preparing for your hearing test is to get to know the clinic’s staff. They are the people who will be testing you, and they can answer any questions you may have about the process.
They will also be able to tell you what accommodations, if any, need to be made so that you can do your best on the test. If you have a language preference for the spoken instructions during the test, let them know ahead of time, and they may be able to assist. It’s always a good idea to take along something like a pen and paper as well so you can take notes.
Talk to Your Family
It’s a good idea to let your family know that you’re visiting a hearing test clinic, as it will make them aware of your hearing loss if you have not told them yet. They may be able to offer advice or provide instances where they noticed any symptoms. If you have children, it’s important that they know what the test is and why it’s happening.
Older kids can be really understanding of hearing loss and might want to read up on it. Younger kids will probably just want some reassurance that everything is going to be okay and a general explanation of what it all means.
Get to Know Your Medical History
Before you can prepare for your hearing test, it’s important that you know your medical history. You’ll want to consider if there are any symptoms of hearing loss that you or anyone in your family may have experienced.
You’ll also want to think about any medications, surgeries, or other health conditions that may be associated with hearing loss. And finally, make sure you discuss any prior noise exposure, whether for work or recreationally, as these factors can also contribute to hearing loss.
Learn About the Hearing Test
A hearing test is one of the most basic tests a doctor can order. When you go in for your appointment, you will be asked to listen to a variety of sounds. The hearing specialist will then ask you what you hear and how loud it is. The test consists of different sounds that vary between high and low pitch.
Find Out Which Other Tests May Be Conducted
Along with the standard hearing test, the specialist may perform the following:
Otoscopy
Your hearing specialist will examine your inner ear with an otoscope. They’ll be on the lookout for any indications of infection, excessive wax buildup, solid wax deposits, or obstructions that might be causing your hearing loss.
Tympanometry
A small amount of pressure in this stage is administered to gauge the eardrum’s response. This checks for anomalies in the inner ear fluids or obstructions to the eardrum’s natural movement.
Audiometry
This evaluation identifies the frequencies that you have difficulty hearing. This helps determine your hearing aid’s calibration. A variety of noises are played to you at various levels and wavelengths, and you push a button to select which ones you can hear.
Prepare a List of Questions
Important questions frequently leave our minds due to anxiety and new encounters. Some questions you can ask include:
- How often should I get my hearing tested?
- Is there a certain age at which people should start getting their hearing checked?
- What is the frequency of hearing tests in my age range?
- What are some common misconceptions about hearing loss that you can clear up for me?
Book a Hearing Test with Bravo Hearing
The more prepared you are for your test, the more successful it will be! Bravo Hearing Centre is wholly committed to providing you with the most comfortable and productive hearing services and experience possible. Contact us today at 647-694-4626 to learn more about us or schedule an appointment for a hearing test.
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