Hearing loss can be an emotionally trying and physically taxing disability. Yet thanks to innovations in audiology, many of the most incapacitating hearing issues can be treated after a hearing test. An examination of the ears, hearing tests evaluate how well a person can hear at varying frequencies.

How Does Hearing Testing Work?

When Do I Need a Hearing Test?

The process of losing one’s hearing is often so subtle and gradual, that many fail to notice when it is occurring. If you have difficulty honing in on certain sounds, especially in noisy places, you may be a prime candidate for a hearing exam. Persons undergoing hearing loss may also find themselves increasing the volume on the TV and radio to levels much louder than before. Others may have difficulty understanding family and friends when speaking in person or while talking on the phone. Lastly, those experiencing a constant ringing in the ears may be suffering from tinnitus and should schedule a hearing test.

How Is a Hearing Test Performed?

A hearing test is a noninvasive, stress-free examination of the ear. First, a hearing specialist asks the patient a series of questions about their current hearing condition. Using a hearing instrument called an otoscope, the practitioner will then assess the person’s eardrum and inner ear. During the examination, the doctor will look for aural abnormalities such as fluid discharge, swelling, ear wax blockage, holes in the eardrum, and other signs of infection.

The audiologist or hearing instrument specialist may also perform a series of individualized tests. During a pure tone test, a patient puts on a set of soundproof headphones and notifies the doctor each time he hears a tone emitting through the speakers. In a speech audiometry test, a patient’s auditory nerve is analyzed by assessing how well he or she can hear sounds without visual information. Lastly, a bone conduction test may be performed to determine how successfully sounds are transmitted into the ear.

The hearing healthcare providers at Heartland Better Hearing Inc are dedicated to providing quality care to clients in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and communities in the surrounding areas. For nearly two decades, Dr. Paul Wimp has served patients with premium hearing products, custom molds, hearing aid repair, and corrective hearing loss treatments. Call (270) 735-9352 for a free hearing test and like them on Facebook to learn more about their A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau®.