According to studies by Johns Hopkins University, putting off treatment for hearing loss can produce devastating consequences to your mental and physical health.
The first step to getting help for your condition is a hearing test, but many put it off or hesitate to seek treatment because they don’t know what to expect from a hearing test. So I’ve put together a quick walkthrough of a first visit to Jacobs Audiology to help put your mind at ease.
A Warm Introduction
Getting to know our patients and understanding who they are is essential to providing high-level hearing healthcare. I emphasized getting to know you, the various environments and circumstances included in your everyday life, and the various concerns you have about your hearing, including your objections and reservations. Our initial conversation will consist of:
- Your family medical history
- Your occupation and work environment
- Your lifestyle and community involvement
- Your past and current health conditions
After this introductory conversation, we will move on to the next step in the examination process.
Ear Examination
Audiologists conduct an initial physical examination of your ears to determine the structural health of your auditory system. We look for obstructions, such as excessive wax buildup or foreign objects in the ear canal, inflammation, or fluid buildup, as well as possible damage to the eardrum.
After our physical examination of your ears, the next step will be a hearing test.
Hearing Threshold Tests
A tone audiometry test allows audiologists to determine the range of volumes and tones you can hear. You will be fitted with a particular type of headphones and placed in a small soundproof room. The operator will transmit tones at various frequencies and volumes, to which you will provide feedback as you hear each tone.
A printout shows the test results demonstrating your frequency and volume thresholds.
A speech audiometry test provides the doctor with feedback on how your hearing loss is affecting your capacity to communicate with others. This test transmits various voices through the headphones, requiring you to interpret and provide evidence that you understand what the speaker is saying.
A final test, when necessary, is tympanometry. This test tells us how the structures in your middle ear react to different acoustic frequencies. This test often includes puffs of air into your ear canal.
Discussing The Results
Once the audiologist has collected all necessary data through these various exams and tests, we discuss the results. We provide you with multiple courses of treatment, advice for protecting your ears at work, lifestyle changes you might need to make, and a possible referral to a medical doctor. We listen to your concerns and prescribe the best treatment options to meet your needs and personal preferences.
Jacobs Audiology Ongoing Hearing Healthcare
Hearing loss is not something you can ignore. Getting treatment provides you with greater independence and a more active lifestyle, but it can also reduce the risks of other mental and physical health issues.
The staff and I at Jacobs Audiology dedicate ourselves to providing our patients with a relaxing and reassuring environment followed by top-level ongoing hearing healthcare. Contact us with any questions or concerns about hearing tests or schedule an appointment.