Top Reasons to Take Your Loved One to a Hearing Professional
If you’re noticing that your loved one is struggling to hear
Evaluating Hearing Loss
If you are reading this article, chances are you are concerned about the possibility of hearing loss. The hearing loss may be your own or a friend or family member. Hearing loss can be determined by hearing screenings and hearing evaluations. Both are painless procedures.
Hearing Screenings
Hearing screenings can be performed on anyone of any age. The type of screening used often times depends on the age of the individual. Hearing screenings are used to determine if you need a hearing test by an audiologist. Screenings are a “pass” and “fail” type of test. Either you pass the screening or you are referred to an audiologist for hearing tests.
Infants and Newborns
Infants and newborns are now routinely screened for hearing loss soon after birth. The tests used on newborns and infants can be performed as they rest and do not require a behavioral response. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing are the procedures used.
Young Children
Children that are too young to respond to verbal queues are tested using visual reinforcement audiometry or conditioned play audiometry. The pediatric audiologist uses toys, simple games, and visual reinforcers such as lighted toys or TV screens to help observe responses from children.
Older Children
Older children are usually screened in the pediatrician’s office or at their school with the use of a pure-tone test. This test requires a response from the child, and they must be able to wear headphones during the test. If sensory issues prevent the child from wearing headphones, then a sound booth can be utilized. However, this method will not identify hearing loss in only one ear (unilateral hearing loss).
Adults
Hearing loss in adults is routinely screened for at community health fairs and as part of the annual wellness exam performed in the doctor’s office. The pure-tone test is the test most commonly used.
Hearing Tests
The term “hearing test” refers to a complete hearing evaluation from a certified audiologist. The audiologist’s evaluation will determine the nature and degree of the hearing loss. They will determine if one or both ears are involved. Treatment options for optimal hearing will be recommended based on the results of the evaluation.
Visual Exam
No, the audiologist will not be testing your eyes! They will use an instrument called an otoscope to look into your ears for any obstructions that could cause hearing loss. They will also ask some questions about any past health issues. They aren’t being nosey; they need to know about any problems with ear infections or other health-related problems.
Pure-Tone Testing
Even if pure-tone testing was used during the hearing screening, the audiologist will want to perform the test again and record the results of the softest sounds you hear on an audiogram. You will wear headphones and be asked to respond to the sounds in one of several ways.
Speech Reception Threshold
This test may be used to confirm the results of a pure-tone test. The audiologist will be determining the faintest level of speech that can be heard half of the time. Since many people complain of trouble hearing in noisy environments, this test may be performed in quiet and with background noise. The audiogram records the results of this test as well.
Acoustic Reflex Measure
This is a test of the function of the middle ear and the neurological pathway to some extent. The audiologist uses this test to help determine the location of the hearing loss. The test evaluates the level of sound at which a muscle in the middle ear contracts in response to noise.
Tympanometry
This is also a test of the middle ear. It is commonly used when there has been a history of ear infections. Pressure changes are made within the ear canal to make the eardrum flex. This can detect fluid in the ear, wax build-up, a perforation in the eardrum or an eardrum that moves too much or too little.
Static Acoustic Impedance
This test may have a very long name, but it is very simple and short. The audiologist uses this test to determine the volume of space in the ear canal and middle ear. This information can help identify damage in the middle ear.
Screening for hearing loss and hearing loss evaluations are non-invasive and painless. If you suspect that you or someone you love is experiencing hearing loss, make an appointment for screening today. The peace of mind will be priceless.
