Types of Hearing Tests

A variety of tests* can be done to identify and diagnose hearing loss. The method used depends in part on the age of the individual along with other factors based on specific needs. If you’ve had your hearing checked at an audiologist’s office, you’ve probably received more than one type of test. Here are some of the main types of hearing tests, what they measure and what you can expect if you’re getting one.

Standard Hearing Screening, also known as Pure-Tone Testing – This hearing test determines the faintest tones a person can hear at selected pitches, or frequencies, from low to high. During this test, earplugs or earphones are worn, so that information can be obtained for each ear. The person taking the test will then be asked to respond when they hear a sound. The audiologist may have you respond to the sound in a variety of ways, such as raising a finger or hand, pressing a button, or saying “yes” to indicate that a sound was heard. The sounds played are at different pitches and levels. The results will be recorded on an audiogram.

Speech Testing – This is an aspect of the standard exam where speech discrimination or word recognition is tested. This helps confirm the pure-tone test results and it helps audiologists assess how well a hearing aid can help. The test involves word recognition and repeating words at a comfortable loudness level. It’s also recorded on the audiogram.

Middle Ear Testing – This provides information on how the middle ear is functioning. These measurements include tympanometry (putting air pressure into the ear canal to measure the mobility of the eardrum). This test helps detect fluid, perforation of the eardrum or a wax blockage.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing – This test measures how long it takes sound to get from your ear to the processing areas in your brain. This can reveal if the pathways between the brain and the inner ear are working correctly. An ABR test is performed by placing small electrodes on the head and recording brain wave activity in response to sound. The person being tested is either quietly resting or asleep. A computer averages the information for the audiologist to interpret.

Otoacoustic Emissions Testing – Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) are sounds given off by the inner ear when the cochlea is stimulated by a sound. When sound stimulates the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate. The vibration produces a nearly inaudible sound that echoes back into the outer ear. This sound can be measured by a small probe inserted in the ear canal.

If you believe you suffer from hearing loss, there are multiple tests that can help you find out and get you on the track to better hearing and better health! Please call Evolution Hearing in Charlottesville, VA at 434-260-8007 or at our Raleigh, NC location at 919-670-3258 today to see how we can help.

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How to keep your family safe with hearing issue?

Hearing impairment can cause serious problem if it is not taken care of at the earliest. It could create serious problems for you and your family’s safety. It could be in danger. Imagine you and your little toddler are going for a walk and a car comes crashing to you with honking noise but you still can’t hear it, you could become a victim of an accident. Thus, here are the following things to take care of, if you have hearing impairment:

1. Create visual cues:

There are some alarm systems that create visual and auditory alerts both. If you cannot hear that is okay, but if you can see the danger, you can definitely do something about it. The flashing lights would alert me you to visitors, even if you could not hear them approach.

2. Rely on companions, neighbors:

Do notify the person you are living with and the neighbors about your problem. They will assist you when you are in need. If they will know about your problem, they will take immediate actions on that. When you cannot hear, relying on someone becomes a necessary option, and that does not mean you have to depend on them completely.

3. Use security system:

It is not necessary that you arm your house alarm all the time. You can also arm when you are in actual need of that. But do use it if your hearing issue is getting worse. Also, keep the house locked and armed when in need or even if not.

4. Adopt a dog:

Like blind people have pets to guide them with the danger, you could also adopt a dog. The dog will be your best companion and be loyal to you for life. It is one of the viable options when you are in traffic or place full of crowd.

5. Build a support network:

When you meet people with the same disability as you have, it could create a sense of relief in you. You could also get solution to your different problems and you will be able to ask for the solution without any hesitation. Partner with neighbors to alert one another to anything unusual in the area. We should all take the time to do this, hearing loss or not.

6. Have a backup plan:

Discuss with your family about the safe place of your houses. When there is a danger in or nearby your house, where should you hide? Also, keep some signatures to alert them when anyone of you is in danger. Keep yourself and your family safe when needed.

7. Use hearing aids:

The best and affordable option is to use hearing aids. The hearing aids will assist you to hear the sounds immediately without any delay and you will be able to save your family in the time of need.

Now, you know what you have to do when you are in danger of hearing impairment. To have a disability is not an issue but to make it a weakness is an issue. Resolve that issue immediately with Evolution Hearing.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist specializes in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular systems of the ear. They are healthcare professionals dedicated to the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing loss.

Audiologists have extensive training and skills in evaluating the hearing of adults, infants and children of all ages. They conduct a variety of tests to determine the exact nature of an individual’s hearing problem and present an array of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment. Audiologists use specialized equipment in sound-treated rooms to obtain accurate hearing loss results.

Some of the main things an audiologist can do for you include:

• Perform comprehensive diagnostic hearing tests
• Remove earwax if necessary
• Dispense and fit hearing aids
• Test your balance to evaluate dizziness
• Provide hearing-rehabilitation training
• Check for medically related hearing problems
• Refer patients when hearing problem needs medical or surgical evaluation

Audiologists can also provide:

• Hearing services and counseling
• Hearing aids and assistive listening devices
• Hearing conservation programs
• Hearing research

If you suspect you’re suffering from hearing loss, seeing an audiologist should be your first move. Please call us at our Charlottesville, VA at 434-260-8007 or at our Raleigh, NC location at 919-670-3258 today to see how we can help.

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Hearing Aid Fact from Fiction

Hearing and sight are arguably our two most important senses. Unfortunately, both of these senses start to fail us as we age. But we tend to react to each quite differently. People don’t have a problem treating their failed eyesight – just think about all of the people you know who wear glasses and contacts, or have even had Lasik surgery. When it comes to treating hearing loss, however, people aren’t in as much of a hurry, if it ever gets treated at all.

So what’s keeping us from treating hearing loss? The immediate impact of each impairment has something to do with it. You can’t drive, read or watch TV with impaired vision, but you can cope with hearing issues, at least temporarily. While the immediate impact of compromised hearing may seem fairly harmless, the long-term effect on quality of life is real and can be severe.

The Perception of Hearing Aids

There are perceptions of hearing loss and hearing aids that just aren’t true. Advancements in science and technology have debunked a lot of the myths associated with hearing loss. Here are five of the most common hearing loss related myths.

Myth #1: There’s no treatment for hearing loss.

Fact: Hearing loss could be irreversible, and even if it isn’t, it can be helped. Hearing aids are the most recommended and effective treatment for hearing loss. Custom programmed by a trained professional, today’s hearing aids can help people with even severe hearing loss hear, thus improving their overall quality of life.

Myth #2: Your doctor will tell you if you need hearing aids.

Fact: Most general practitioners don’t have time to test for hearing loss. According to The Better Hearing Institute, as of 2017 only 23% of adults reported having their hearing screened during a physical exam.

Myth #3: Hearing aids are hard to use.

Fact: Hearing aids have come along way in just the past few years. Advancements in processing speeds and hearing science enable hearing aids to distinguish speech from noise, detect sound direction and adjust to specific environments automatically. Your hearing aids can be worn all day with little attention if they’ve been fitted and programmed by a hearing professional.

Myth #4: Hearing aids will make you stand out.

Fact: Today’s hearing aids are much more discreet than in the past. There are even types that can fit deep into your ear canal, making them invisible to others.

Myth #5: Hearing aids aren’t worth the trouble.

Fact: Hearing loss can have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. According to a study done by The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), untreated hearing loss has serious emotional and social consequences for seniors.

If you suffer from hearing loss, don’t let myths keep you from living your best life. Please call Evolution Hearing in Charlottesville, VA at 434-260-8007 or our Raleigh, NC location at 919-670-3258 today to see how we can help.

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