Millions of people around the world suffer from some form of hearing loss. For many, this can make everyday life incredibly difficult. Hearing aids are a device that can help to enhance the quality of life for many people who struggle with hearing loss, but before you purchase one, it’s important to take a hearing test to assess the best approach for your treatment.
A hearing test is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can help to assess the severity of your hearing loss and determine the best course of treatment. There are different approaches to this as well, from tests for speech recognition, tone assessment, bone conduction assessment, to auditory brainstem examination.
Whatever your audiologist recommends, the hearing test results will help your doctor determine whether you need a hearing aid and, if so, which type would be best for you.
The Lowdown on Different Hearing Evaluations
1. Traditional Pure Tone Test
A traditional pure tone test is a hearing evaluation tool used to measure an individual’s hearing sensitivity. It involves playing a series of tones through headphones and recording how loudly the person can hear them. This test can help identify whether someone has hearing loss and, if so, how severe it is.
2. Speech Recognition Test
The speech recognition test typically involves listening to a series of words or sentences spoken aloud, and then repeating them back. The test may be administered in a quiet room or in a noisy environment, depending on the person’s needs. It is important to note that the results of this type of evaluation will vary depending on the individual’s ability to hear and understand language.
3. Bone Conduction Test
Bone conduction tests use a small vibrator that is placed against the bone behind your ear. The vibrator sends sound waves through your skull to your inner ear. This test can help determine if there is a problem with the bones in your middle ear or with the hearing nerve.
4. Auditory Brainstem Test
An auditory brainstem test is a type of hearing evaluation that is used to determine the health of the auditory nerve and the brainstem. This test can help identify problems with hearing, balance, and movement. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses electrodes to measure electrical activity in various areas of the brain.
The Bottom Line: Why it’s Important to Get a Hearing Test First Before Buying Hearing Aids
If you do need hearing aids, a proper fitting is essential for getting the most out of them. A qualified audiologist will be able to properly measure your ears and find the best style and fit of hearing aid for you. Without a proper fitting, you may not hear as well as you could with properly fitted devices.
Another reason to get a hearing test before buying hearings aids is to rule out any other potential causes of your hearing loss. Conditions like ear infections, allergies, and Meniere’s disease can all cause temporary or permanent hearing loss and should be ruled out before purchasing expensive hearings aids.
Finally, getting a baseline audiogram can help track any changes in your hearing loss over time. This can be helpful in determining when it’s time to replace your current set of hearings aides or if further treatment is needed.
How Can We Help You?
Hear More Associates is the country’s most trusted hearing care specialist. We provide care to patients throughout Lexington, Greater Boston, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. From hearing tests to hearing aids, we got you covered! If you’re looking for a hearing care solution, reach out to us today!
