What Really Happens at a Hearing Test?

Most people know what to expect when they visit their primary care physician for an annual physical exam. When you see your eye doctor for a vision test, you likely anticipate being asked to read a selection of letters on a wall chart. But do you know what happens during hearing evaluations?

It baffles us that for most people, hearing tests are not a routine part of their healthcare plan. Many people never visit an audiologist until they’re already having problems with their hearing, which often makes them feel both a little curious and apprehensive about the experience. In reality, a hearing test is a simple, painless procedure that can be truly life changing. Here is exactly what you can expect when you visit Cornerstone Audiology for a hearing test.

A Warm Welcome

When you first arrive at our Lubbock or Snyder office, you’ll be welcomed by a friendly member of our 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 spend some time getting to know you and your concerns, including any family history of hearing loss and symptoms you may be experiencing. This is a vital part of the process, as it often provides your audiologist with insight into the root of any problems you’re experiencing.

Inspecting Your Ears

Your audiologist will begin the hearing test by inspecting your outer ear and eardrum, checking for blockages and making sure that everything looks healthy. This is called an otoscopy.

Next, they’ll perform a tympanometry test, which assesses your middle ear space. After getting a complete picture of your physical hearing system, they’ll move on to the sensory test. This part of the hearing test is more interactive.

Testing Your Hearing

You’ve likely had your hearing tested like this as a child, but don’t remember it. Your audiologist will perform pure tone audiometry to find your threshold for hearing at multiple frequencies. You will be provided with a pair of headphones, through which your doctor will play sounds at different frequencies and volume levels. You’ll provide feedback on which sounds you can hear.

After this, your doctor will perform word understanding testing to help determine how you’re able to process speech at different loudness levels. This comprehensive testing process will produce a set of results that can offer a complete picture of your hearing issue.

What Happens at the End of a Hearing Test?

After your hearing test is complete, your audiologist will review the results with you. If you are experiencing a hearing loss, they’ll discuss potential options for treatment. It might be that you just need a thorough cleaning of your ears or perhaps a referral to a specialist for medical treatment. If the tests suggest that you have permanent damage, your doctor can offer suggestions for hearing aids that will suit your needs, preferences, and budget. They 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.

Here at Cornerstone Audiology, we understand that treating hearing loss is never one size fits all. Your audiologist will develop a personalized plan with you so that you can take the right steps for you moving forward.