Your Hearing Test: What to Expect
One of the first steps in improving your hearing is taking a hearing test. Some of the country’s leading hearing centers will give you a free hearing test if you are a new patient. These tests typically take 30 minutes to one hour. You will leave with a comprehensive understanding of your hearing loss.
More than a Hearing Test
It’s important to schedule your hearing test with a hearing professional. They will give you a full hearing assessment, listen to your concerns and questions and help create a personalized solution for you.
The Assessment Itself
From the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
An audiologic evaluation is sometimes thought of as "just a hearing test," but more than "just" the ability to hear sounds is involved. The audiologic evaluation consists of a battery of tests each providing specific standalone information. Yet, the tests complement one another. The audiologic evaluation consists of several different components.
Case History
The audiologist will ask several questions during the case history. For example:
- What brought you here today?
- Have you noticed difficulty with your hearing? What have you noticed? For how long? When do you think the hearing loss began?
- Does your hearing problem affect both ears or just one ear?
- Has your difficulty with hearing been gradual or sudden?
- Read more about what to expect at ASHA.
Why Visit a Hearing Center?
When untreated, hearing loss can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to irritability, withdrawal and depression.
The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss
From the Better Hearing Institute
Studies have linked untreated hearing loss to:
- Irritability, negativism and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
- Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
- Social rejection and loneliness
- Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- Reduced job performance and earning power
- Diminished psychological and overall health
- Learn more about untreated hearing loss from BHI.
