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Are you going through your first hearing test? If you are, this guide is made for you! We are here to help you better understand what to expect from your first trip to your audiologist. This knowledge will also allow you to find viable solutions to improve your hearing loss and understand its holistic implications on your life and health.
This guide will talk about what you need to know before your hearing test. That way, you can prepare in advance what you need to say to better guide your audiologist in making an accurate and well-informed reading on your hearing health. Then, we will also discuss the basic hearing test itself.
There are many crucial factors to your hearing loss that have implications on your previous or current lifestyle. For instance, let’s say you used to be a jazz musician before. You were then subjected to the loud noise of the trumpet, saxophone, and drums. This can gradually affect your hearing, especially if you were not able to take the necessary precautions. This is why a visit to the audiologist is necessary to determine the appropriate course of action.
During your first consultation, be sure to talk to your audiologist in depth about the different occurrences that have had a huge impact on your current hearing. You may also want to talk about the environment you live in, work, or anywhere else that you spend a lot of time in. You can also talk about your different hobbies that may have affected your hearing.
An assessment of your lifestyle with the audiologist helps them better understand the root cause of why you are finding it difficult to hear. Being exposed to constant noise pollution is one factor, but there are other contributing factors to your hearing loss, such as old age, unhealthy or unhygienic practises with your ear, and other kinds of lifestyle-related issues.
The main goal here is for your audiologist to recommend the right changes you need to incorporate into your daily lifestyle to safeguard your hearing health.
Your overall health status directly affects the conditions of your hearing health. For instance, a study finds that there is a significant link between blood hypertension and hearing loss. This is why your audiologist will ask you about your medical history and also that of your blood relatives if your health suggests an association with hereditary health issues. They may also ask you a full range of questions associated with your overall health, like surgery for a previous motorcycle accident.
Your audiologist will also ask about your medication, as this is also linked to your hearing health. For example, a study found that women who take pain relievers are more susceptible to hearing loss. This is why it is recommended to bring both your previous and current prescriptions to your audiologist.
After talking to your audiologist about your medical history, you will then be subjected to a series of ear examinations to comprehensively understand your hearing health. First, your audiologist will use an otoscope to view the physical condition of your ear. This allows them to assess whether there is any inflammation or internal injury.
Then, you will go through what is called an air and bone conduction test. It is your audiologist’s way of professionally measuring your ear’s ability to hear a pure tone without the presence of other noise. It also allows your audiologist to better determine the kind of hearing loss you have. And lastly, a word discrimination test will gauge your ear’s capacity for hearing and deciphering speech.
After all the tests, your audiologist will analyse your results and give you an audiogram, which is a visual representation of your hearing health. The hearing clinic will then design and customise a hearing aid to address your particular case of hearing loss.
Hearing loss is unfortunate, but luckily, professionals are ready to help guide you through the process. Audiologists are ready to explain what you need to do and provide you with the right solution to correct your hearing. Take note of the previously mentioned information today and get your hearing professionally cared for.
Do you need professional hearing tests in Langley and Abbotsford? Consult with us at Fraser Valley Beltone, your professional team of audiologists. We can provide you with an in-depth analysis and medical recommendations to help you better understand your hearing health. Talk to us today about your next hearing test.