3 Steps in a Hearing Test

It is time for you to have a hearing test if you haven't had one in a while. You do not know if you have any loss or other problems, but you know you need to have this type of screening to ensure that you are healthy. Though some doctor's offices provide very basic screenings, it is always a good idea to book your official testing through a specialist in the field. This way, you will know what is going on and have access to the most thorough tests available. This gives you a definitive answer as to what is happening. It can also tell you what to do about it. What Will Happen In a hearing test, you will be taken through a series of steps. The goal of this appointment, like any other appointment with a doctor, is to gather information from you, examine you, and then offer a solution to any problem that pops up. With a specialist, you can expect this to be done in three basic steps. The initial portion is a fact-gathering process. The goal here is to gather information about your medical history and to find out about any hearing loss in your family. You will have the ability to talk with a professional during the process. This is often done in a simple conversation style, though you may have a questionnaire to answer as well. After collecting this information, your doctor will move on to a hearing test. This process is not hard or complex. All that happens is that you are asked to respond to a series of sounds. This will include various levels of sound or decibels. You will also be experiencing various frequencies or tones. You may have trouble with some of this and that's okay. The final step is called a speech recognition test. In short, the goal here is to present potential solutions for any loss of the ability to hear you have and then to see if they work. You may even get to work with family and friends during this process. Ultimately, the goal is to find out what happens during a conversation with others. During this process, you will have the ability to ask questions or gather additional information. You will have the ability to learn what is happening and why the doctor is doing what he or she is doing. During the process, you will likely have trouble with some sounds, but everyone does. However, there are many situations in which this lack of ability to hear can signal something more important. When there is a problem with the hearing test, your doctor could recommend a device that could help to improve your listening skills.