Most people will remember stepping outside of class in elementary school to undergo hearing screenings, where they would put on headphones and raise their hands when they heard a beep. This type of testing is known as pure-tone audiometry.

It is recommended to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation regularly. It will help prevent any hearing loss problems by catching them early.

Schedule Your Appointment

Most of us remember undergoing hearing tests in school. We donned big headphones and were asked to raise our hands or push a button when we heard a beep.

When you schedule a comprehensive hearing test in Sudbury, the first step is usually an otoscope examination of the ear. It allows your audiologist to identify any visual risk factors, such as earwax or signs of an infection, before proceeding with the rest of the test.

Your audiologist will also want to know about your medical history, including exposure to loud noises and other illnesses affecting your hearing. Bringing a list of your medications is also helpful. It will allow your audiologist to understand better your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.

Bring Your Earbuds

If you haven’t had a screening test in a while, this is the perfect opportunity to schedule one. During a hearing screen, you’ll put on headphones and raise your hand or press a button whenever you hear a beep. These sounds are called pure tones and help the audiologist determine your threshold or how quiet you can hear at different frequencies.

In addition to pure tones, your audiologist will also conduct speech audiometry, which measures how well you can understand speech in a quiet environment. They’ll play recorded or live words to you that will gradually become soft and ask you to repeat them back.

To ensure you’re comfortable during the test, practice listening to music or watching videos on your phone with earbuds. It will help you get accustomed to wearing them during the test.

Wear Your Earplugs

Ear plugs can help protect against noise-induced hearing loss. They can also reduce tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears that can cause significant distress and prevent people from sleeping.

Wear your earplugs for 14 hours before your hearing test for best results. It allows your ears to rest and helps you avoid experiencing discomfort during testing.

A part of a hearing exam is pure-tone audiometry, where you’re asked to listen to tones at different pitches and volumes in a soundproof room. The softest sounds you can hear at each frequency tested are plotted as tones on an audiogram.

Whether you’re a light sleeper or live on a noisy street, earplugs can be a game-changer for those struggling to get a good night’s rest. They can also help you reduce tinnitus and manage ringing in the ear (Tinnitus), a common side effect of prolonged exposure to loud music or noise at work.

Bring a Family Member

Bringing a friend or family member to their hearing test can help them feel more at ease. If you are a child of a deaf adult (CODA), then coming along with your parents to their hearing tests will make them feel supported, and you can also help translating from sign language if there is a need for it.

While many people are resigned to having some degree of hearing loss, others are hesitant to take action or even acknowledge that there might be a problem. It can be challenging to navigate, especially if you encourage someone else to get tested and treated for their hearing issues. Being gentle, empathetic, and patient is essential when encouraging loved ones toward treatment. It will help to prevent them from becoming defensive or upset about the idea of a hearing test.

Arrive on Time

In the same way you schedule appointments to check your cholesterol or blood pressure, you must attend your comprehensive hearing assessment on time. Arriving late can disrupt the test’s accuracy or your ability to understand your results.

Your audiologist will ask about your ear-related symptoms, lifestyle wants/needs, and medical history. This information helps them get a complete understanding of your hearing health. It can indicate other potential issues like impaction earwax or other physical/medical conditions contributing to your hearing challenges.

During the hearing test, they may conduct a pure tone test where you will listen to tones and pitches varying in pitch and intensity. You will be asked to raise your hand or press a button when you hear a sound. This test indicates your ability to distinguish different frequencies and tones, essential for hearing speech.