We know that hearing impairment affects more than just your ability to hear; it affects your quality of life, relationships, and daily activities. Here at The ENT Centers of North Texas, we stress the importance of an accurate hearing evaluation.
A hearing evaluation is just the beginning and it’s essential to identify the source and degree of your hearing loss. An in-depth hearing evaluation will help the team at The ENT Centers of North Texas develop a unique treatment plan to restore your hearing and live your best life.
The Interview
Starting with a brief interview, our audiologists will seek to identify the origin and extent of your hearing impairment. Common questions you’ll be asked include:
- Are you or have you been exposed to loud noises on a daily or frequent basis?
- Do you know if you had any illnesses or injuries that affected your hearing?
- Do you take any medications that damaged your hearing?
- Do you have any family members with hearing problems?
The Hearing Exam
The Doctors of Audiology at The ENT Centers of North Texas will closely examine the inside of your ear and determine whether the hearing difficulty you are experiencing could be caused by an obstruction like earwax or damage to the ear canal or eardrum. An instrument called an otoscope or video otoscope is often used to inspect the ear.
Hearing Tests
Next, the nature and degree of hearing loss need to be identified. Hearing test methods often include:
- A screening to measure your hearing at different frequencies
- An evaluation of your middle ear and how your eardrum and hearing react to varying degrees of air pressure
If a hearing impairment is identified, the results will be documented on an audiogram. An audiogram is created after taking a pure-tone hearing test. It then maps out the type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss. The audiogram will show the degree of hearing loss by frequency, as the pitch and loudness of sounds change.
Frequencies are measured in hertz (Hz), and the loudness or intensity is measured in decibels (dB). The audiologists at The ENT Centers of North Texas will determine whether you have trouble hearing low or high pitches and what that means moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Tests
How long does a hearing test take?
It depends on which test is being done and if more than one is needed. Most hearing tests take 10 minutes.
How often should I get my hearing tested?
This depends on lifestyle as well as age. Typically, we recommend an annual hearing test, whether there are signs of hearing loss or not, particularly if you are exposed to noise consistently through work or play.
If you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of hearing loss, call to schedule an appointment with our audiology team for hearing test to help identify the root cause of your hearing loss and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Call today!