The Importance of Hearing Tests: How to Improve Your Everyday Life

Sensory hearing tests are a great way to augment your everyday life and improve your quality of life. They can be as simple as listening to different sounds and frequencies or as complex as neuroimaging technologies like virtual reality. The purpose of these tests is to test your acuity, i.e. the sharpness of your hearing ability. This guide will help you understand the importance of auditory testing, how it can benefit you, and how to get started with them.

What is an Auditory Test?

Auditory testing is a method that helps doctors, audiologists, and hearing aid specialists assess your hearing ability and determine the most appropriate hearing aid. While there are a variety of tests to choose from, most focus on evaluating your hearing ability by forcing you to listen to a range of sound frequencies. Many tests will also evaluate and grade your hearing ability based on how well you hear different sounds. These tests often use headphones, microphones, or a digital system that plays tones at specific frequencies and amplitudes. The test will usually start with a very quiet tone and then gradually increase the volume until you can hear it in its entirety. During the test, the audiologist will watch you for any indication that you’re hearing the sound. If you nod or make any other indication that you can hear the sound, the audiologist will immediately stop the test and ask you to re-listen to the quiet tones in order to see if you misheard them.

Why is it Important to Have a Hearing Test?

Hearing loss is a common condition that can impact a person’s quality of life. It’s often underdiagnosed because there are no symptoms. People who are hearing impaired often don’t realize there is a problem, so they may not seek treatment. Hearing loss can occur gradually due to age or due to sudden damage caused by injury, infection, or certain medications. Hearing loss can cause a person to miss out on social engagements, friendships, employment, and educational experiences. It can also affect how people communicate with family, friends, and loved ones. Hearing loss can also impact a person’s emotional well-being. If you have hearing loss, you may feel isolated and unable to communicate with others as effectively as you’d like.

Types of Auditory Tests

There is a wide range of auditory tests available to help you evaluate your hearing ability. Vibrant Hearing can help you understand which test is most appropriate for you based on your hearing ability and needs. Some of the most common tests include:

• Puretone: A pure tone test measures the frequency response of your hearing. It’s the most objective test of your hearing because it doesn’t rely on your ability to correctly identify a sound. It’s commonly used if you have a hearing loss that’s mild or moderate in severity.
• Continuous-Wave Audiometry: In this test, a sound is presented continuously while the audiologist graphs the level at which you can hear it. It’s commonly used if you have hearing loss that’s mild or moderate in severity.
• Speech Audiometry: In this test, a human voice is presented while the audiologist charts the extent to which you can understand what the voice is saying. It’s commonly used if you have a hearing loss that’s moderate or severe in severity.
• Speech Recognition: In this test, a machine reads the words from a printed list, such as a phonebook, at varying speeds and different volumes. The audiologist then attempts to have you repeat the words as accurately as possible.
• Compatibility: In this test, the audiologist tests how well you hear various frequencies and amplitudes. It’s commonly used if you have a hearing loss that’s mild or moderate in severity.

Which type of hearing test should you take?

There are a variety of auditory tests available for you to choose from based on your needs and hearing ability. You should choose a test that measures your hearing ability accurately and is designed for the type of hearing loss you have. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing an auditory test:

• What is your hearing loss like? Is it mild, moderate, or severe?
• What do you need to be able to hear? Does it depend on where you are, who you’re talking to, or what you’re doing?
• How much does the test cost?

Before choosing an auditory test, you should also research the technologies available so you can get a better understanding of the costs associated with the test. Some auditory tests offer a range of technologies, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Which Sensory Hearing Test should you take?

While there is a wide range of auditory tests available, there are also a variety of sensory hearing tests available. In order to choose the right test, you’ll need to understand which sense(s) your hearing ability is being tested. The most common sensory hearing tests include:

• Visual Tests: Visual tests are used to determine how accurate your hearing is through visual indicators. You may be shown a large number on a screen, a flashing light, or an image that’s meant to help you understand what your hearing ability is like.
• Auditory-Audiovisual Tests: Auditory-audiovisual tests are used to combine the auditory and visual senses. Your audiologist may present a sound and then play a video that’s meant to help you understand what your hearing ability is like.
• Smell Tests: Smell tests are often combined with other sensory tests to provide an even richer experience. A chemical substance is usually released into the air, and the audiologist asks you to identify the smell.

Tips for Taking an Auditory Test

Before you take an auditory test, make sure you’re well-rested and hydrated. You want to feel confident and relaxed during the test so you’re not distracted by anxiety. You should also make sure you avoid eating or drinking a few hours before your test. This will help ensure that your ears are completely dry. You should also make sure you’re wearing the best possible hearing aid. Some tests require you to wear a hearing aid while others will give you the option to wear one. If you’re wearing a hearing aid, make sure it’s clean and powered up to the best possible setting. Finally, make sure you’ve read the directions for your test. These will tell you what to do before you begin, what to expect during the test, and what to do after the test is complete.

Conclusion

Hearing loss affects more than just your ability to hear sounds. It can also affect your emotional well-being, your social interactions, your employment opportunities, and your ability to learn and understand new information. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to address your hearing loss and improve your quality of life. If you’d like to learn more, visit a family-owned audiologic clinic in Smithfield.