What is a Hearing Test?

Having your hearing tested on a regular basis is always a good idea, especially if you have experienced any difficulties.  A proper test is designed to assess your hearing abilities at a number of different levels, ensuring that any problems are picked up on straight away.  Most modern companies will understand that a lot of people may feel a little apprehensive about having a test which is why so many testers will be quite happy to carry out an assessment in the comfort of your own home.  Once this initial consultation has been completed, a full test can then be arranged.

Just why so many of us feel so apprehensive about things we have never experienced is a bit of a mystery.  However, this article has been written to help anyone who is at all nervous about having this type of examination.

Here are a few of the things you can expect from a hearing test –

Physical Examination

An audiologist will look inside your ears to make sure there are no waxy obstructions or signs of infection.  If there are, then these could quite easily be having a negative effect on your hearing.

Your History

Have you ever been exposed to loud noises in the workplace?  And has there ever been any damage to your ears?

The audiologist will ask you questions about this and he/she may also want to know about any history of hearing loss in your family.

A Speech Test

Most of the time, a hearing test will also include a speech test.  Again, this will be carried out in the same sound-proofed environment except that it will be words which are played through the headphones rather than sounds.

The audiologist will ask the person having the test to repeat each of these words (played in a variety of different pitches), helping to determine whether or not they have any problems understanding speech.

A Sound Test

The majority of hearing_test.html [hearing tests] will involve a ‘sound booth'.  This is a sound-proofed structure (sometimes the room itself) where a patient will hear a series of sounds through headphones.

The audiologist will then simply want to know if each of these sounds is audible to the person who is taking the test.  This is normally confirmed by the patient pressing a button or raising their hand to confirm that they have heard the sound.

As you can see, there is nothing at all to be concerned about when you are going for a hearing test.  It is all perfectly straightforward and not in any way unpleasant!  A hearing test is comfortable, relaxed and very informal.  If there are any questions which you would like to ask, then the audiologist will only be too happy to answer them for you.  After all, the examiner will want to know straight away if you have the slightest concern about anything to do with the test!  Once you have been for a hearing test for the first time you will realise how simple a matter it actually is.