A hearing test is a normal part of an ear exam and is used to evaluate how well you can hear sounds. Doctors commonly recommend hearing tests to diagnose hearing loss. If you plan to get a hearing aid, this test is used to determine which hearing aid to get and the appropriate settings that match your degree of hearing loss. Hearing tests are simple and do not cause any pain or discomfort. If you're scheduled for a hearing exam, here's what you can expect.
Lifestyle Assessment
Prior to your hearing exam, your physician may perform a lifestyle assessment. This will consist of asking you a few short questions to get a better idea of your lifestyle as it pertains to hearing. The goal is to use the information to provide individualized care. Some of the questions may pertain to whether, or not you spend a lot of time outdoors and whether you frequent restaurants, malls and similar public places. Your doctor will also want to know whether you enjoy music and movies, as well as what type of work you do. This will give your doctor an overall picture of your hearing needs.
Health History
Because your overall health and any medications you take can have an impact on your hearing, your doctor will take a detailed health history prior to your hearing exam. High blood pressure, diabetes and even kidney disease are linked to hearing loss, so it's crucial to tell your doctor if you suffer from any of these conditions. You can expect your doctor to ask you about any hearing loss in your family and whether you spent long periods in noisy environments in the past. Your doctor will also want to know whether you have any ringing in your ears, dizziness, vertigo, or ear pain.
Hearing Exam
Your hearing test will be conducted in a quiet, sound-treated room for best results. You'll wear headphones that are connected to a device called an audiometer. The facilitator will instruct you to listen for different tones and volumes coming through the headphones and will ask you to raise your hand, or push a button when you hear them. Each time the facilitator will go down a scale, changing the volume and pitch to analyze your ability to hear a range of sounds. People who have hearing loss won't hear certain volumes, tones, or pitches, so your doctor will use the results to determine your degree of hearing loss, if any.
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