Anyone who thinks they may have harmed their hearing or notices that it is deteriorating should get it evaluated by an audiologist. In addition to testing your hearing, an audiologist will look for the underlying causes of any loss of hearing you may have.
The sorts of hearing test near me that requires you to schedule an appointment with an audiologist are described in more depth below.
Providing medical history
Undoubtedly, information regarding your medical history will be requested from you. You must also give specifics about your previous and current employment, including information on whether your jobs—past and present—may have exposed you to noises that might have harmed your hearing. You will be required to give specifics of previous ailments and complications, particularly if they may have affected your hearing.
What does the hearing test entail
The majority of hearing tests include an audiogram, which is done in a room that has been soundproofed. You have to place some specialized audio headphones after visiting the room. The lowest tone in a set of tones that the patient hears with both ears is recorded after the audiologist tests the patient’s hearing. When you first get your hearing evaluated, many individuals may recall taking a test similar to this in school. The idea is the same, although it could require more advanced machinery.
A light pressure probe is inserted in the middle ear during a tympanometry hearing test. While a tone is played, the pressure probe gradually raises and lowers the air pressure. Tympanometry is used to examine the inner ear for any diseases or a build-up of fluid.
Using a tuning fork to test for hearing loss is another option. The middle ear of the patient vibrates as a result of striking the tuning fork and holding it close to the ear. To send vibrations to the inner ear, the tuning fork then presses up against the bone behind the ear. To determine which tone was louder of the two, the patient will next be questioned. Assess the patient’s auditory range and locate the hearing loss with the use of the test.
A site of lesion test, which helps pinpoint the location of the hearing loss, may also be included in hearing tests. The audiologist can compare the patient’s hearing when other noises are heard using this test. It can be completed using the same tools as an audiogram exam, but the outcomes will be different.
Other medical tests
The audiologist may advise additional medical examinations to rule out any underlying medical disorders that might be the source of the hearing loss. The nerves involved in hearing can be evaluated by taking a particular x-ray of the cerebral cortex and the eardrum.
