If you suspect that you may have hearing loss, hearing tests can help you answer the question definitively. They can also help your audiologist identify the specific type of hearing loss you’re experiencing and its severity. That way, your care team can make the right recommendation for treatment moving forward.
Below, you’ll learn more about the hearing tests we use at Audio Acoustics Hearing Centers, how they work and what to expect when you schedule a hearing test appointment with us.
What Hearing Tests Will I Get?
The specific hearing tests that our audiologists complete will depend on your background. Factors like your age and medical history can influence the type of testing we recommend. That being said, all diagnostic audiological evaluations include pure-tone testing and bone conduction testing.
Pure-Tone and Bone Conduction Testing
Pure-tone and bone conduction testing is the foundation of a diagnostic audiological evaluation. Pure-tone testing assesses the quietest tones that you can hear across various frequencies.
Bone conduction testing is very similar to this. But it involves wearing a different type of headset. The purpose is to give your audiologist the information they need to determine whether your hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural in nature. This can impact the type of hearing devices or treatment they recommend.
Visual Reinforcement and Conditioned Play Audiometry for Children
We offer hearing tests for children as well. Our audiologists may use a different approach for these tests to help your child feel more comfortable as we evaluate their hearing. Conducting these tests is the first step in coming up with a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Visual reinforcement and conditioned play audiometry give us the information we need to deliver the best possible care. When you schedule one of these appointments, you should also plan on spending some time discussing the results with your audiologist.
What to Expect During Your Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation
Most diagnostic audiological evaluations take us around 30-45 minutes to complete. The appointment will begin with a review of your medical history and a discussion of your symptoms. After that, your audiologist will conduct the tests that they think are right for your situation.
When the tests are over, you will have the opportunity to discuss the results with your audiologist. They may recommend follow-up care, with hearing aids being the most common treatment for hearing loss. If you require hearing aids the audiologist will walk you through the options that will be most beneficial to your specific needs.