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Many people know what happens during eye tests, where an optician asks if someone can read a selection of letters on a wall chart. But far less know what happens during hearing evaluations – which often makes them feel both a little curious and daunted about the experience. In reality, these are simple procedures that can change the lives of those with a hearing loss immensely. This is what happens when you come for a hearing evaluation at Cornerstone Audiology.
A Warm Welcome
When you first arrive at one of our Lubbock, Big Spring, or Snyder locations, you’ll be warmly greeted by a member of the Cornerstone Audiology team. They’ll offer you a comfy seat in our waiting room, where you can fill out paperwork about your hearing journey and medical history. Your doctor will then introduce themselves and take you to their office. They’ll then discuss all your particular concerns and issues – from any family history of hearing loss to the way you might be struggling today. This is a vital part of the process, as it often provides audiologists with a clear insight into what is the root of your problem.
The Ear Inspection
An audiologist will then begin the hearing evaluation by inspecting your outer and inner ears, checking for blockages and that everything looks healthy. They’ll then run a tympanometry test, which assesses if the eardrum is functioning correctly. Following this, they’ll analyze the integrity of your auditory nerve, which is responsible for sending sound information to your brain. Once they’ve acquired a complete visual picture of your hearing system, they’ll advance the process onto the sensory test stage, which is far more interactive.
The Hearing Tests
Many patients will have undergone a hearing test like this as a child or may have seen something like it in the movies. An audiologist will provide you with a pair of headphones, and then they’ll play sounds at different frequencies and volume levels. You’ll provide feedback on what sounds you can hear so that the audiologist can accurately measure your auditory threshold. After this, they’ll take you through a series of speech tests to understand how you’re able to hear amid certain background noises. This will produce a set of results that can be paired with your personal experiences and offer a complete picture of your hearing issue.
Treatments And Guidance
With all this information, an audiologist will then be best placed to offer highly tuned advice regarding hearing treatments. They’ll begin by developing a personalized plan with you about the right steps for you to take going forward. It might be that you just need a thorough cleaning of your ears or perhaps a referral to a specialist for medical treatments. But if the tests suggest you have permanent damage, doctors can offer extensive guidance of hearing aids that will suit your needs and level of investment. Doctors can also fit devices at the end of a hearing appointment, so you can leave after your consultation with a brand-new way to experience the world.
Are you worried that you may have a hearing loss? Request a callback with a member of the friendly team now, and they can help you set up an appointment with an audiologist!
