Hearing Tests Don’t Hurt

It is not unusual for older people to experience some extent of hearing loss, which can be so gradual that it is not immediately apparent there is a problem. In fact, recent studies have concluded only one in four Americans who acknowledge they have hearing loss will actually go to a hearing professional for a diagnosis and treatment. There are some simple signs to indicate it is time to see a certified hearing health professional. If someone has asked you more than once if you have a hearing problem, if you are frequently exposed to loud noises, such as construction sites or loud music, or if you are beginning to experience difficulty distinguishing speech within a noisy environment, it is time to make an appointment for an exam.

Many people are under the impression that a hearing test is invasive or painful. This is not true, as even the most extensive hearing test is minimally invasive and usually consists of wearing a set of headphones and identifying different levels of tones in each ear. The most thorough portion of the test will likely be when you relay your medical and lifestyle history. The more information you provide regarding the history of your ears, the more quickly problems can be diagnosed and a treatment plan set. The portion of the hearing test in which you identify different pitches and tones of noise is called an audiogram. This is the diagnostic tool that will help to identify exactly what type of hearing loss you have, if any, and what course of treatment, including use of hearing aids, will be the most effective. Delay in contacting a specialist will likely result in more extensive damage, more severe hearing loss and – worse case – even a total loss of hearing. Hearing tests do not hurt and can most likely save much of your natural ability to hear effectively.

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