4 Things No One Tells You About Hearing Tests

Taking a hearing test can be daunting for most people. It is completely unfamiliar territory for a lot of people who do not know what to expect. They are scared of probes being poked into their ears, thanks to all the horrifying rumors they keep hearing from unreliable sources.

Similar to almost every other situation, the unknown tends to scare you. That is the reason why it is probably best to be prepared and know what happens during a hearing test. While a lot of people will tell you a lot of things, but here is a list of four things no one tells you about hearing tests.

1. Your preferences matter

The common perception states that since we are not experts at hearing loss or its treatment, our input does not matter at all. There is a widespread misconception that hearing tests are a largely passive process in which the flow of information is generally one-way: from the hearing care professional to you. The truth, however, is quite the opposite. Your input is an absolutely necessary component of hearing tests. It starts with you giving information about your personal preferences and lifestyle to the audiologists, who will use this information to make sure the treatment you get is right for you.

2. It is pain-free and non-invasive

Contrary to common beliefs, a hearing test is generally non-intrusive and completely pain-free. Most of the hearing evaluation involves a visual exam of your ear as well as you hearing tones, clicks and words through a pair of headphones and responding in a certain way. It certainly does not include painful injections or scary-looking equipment. In fact, an audiologist can pretty much do a hearing test on a sleeping baby without even waking him up. And the best part is that a hearing test normally lasts between 30-40 minutes only!

3. You get to see cool stuff

Audiologists often start the hearing evaluation by inspecting the inside or your ear with an otoscope. Any obstructions or abnormalities are checked to see if they could be the reason for your hearing loss. Many times, the otoscope can be hooked to a monitor so you can see the inside of your ear, as deep as the ear canal and the eardrum. Watching your own ear on a monitor is often a fun and interactive process that allows you to better understand your auditory system.

4. Hearing loss can’t be “restored”

Almost 90 percent of cases of hearing loss can be treated effectively with the help of hearing aids. Despite modern technology and the best advancements in hearing aid manufacturing, they do not “restore” your hearing ability. While they will hugely improve your quality of life and hearing health, hearing aids will not return your hearing back to normal. What they will do is help you hear and filter sound better.

While something new can seem overwhelming, hearing tests do not have to be scary. Call an audiologist in your area today to learn more about their process for testing your hearing!