Adult Audio Testing Services

When preparing for your appointment with your audiologist for a hearing evaluation, be prepared to openly discuss the concerns you have for your hearing as well as any difficulties you have communicating with others. You may have trouble understanding in background noise or communicating with your family members.  You may struggle to understand speakers at church, in school or your community.  You may suffer from tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, crackling, etc.) or sense of fullness in your ears. If your hearing struggles affect you emotionally, such as embarrassment from asking others to repeat themselves, withdrawing from social situations, or misunderstanding what others are saying, make sure to bring that up with your audiologist as well. Plan on bringing a communication partner with you.  This can be a partner, family member, or trusted friend.  Bring someone you communicate with often; they may have insight into your difficulties in communication also. 

When you arrive for your appointment, the audiologist will introduce themselves and explain what tests will be performed in your appointment.  They will make sure to look in your ears to makes sure there are no blockages caused by ear wax or any other reason part or all of testing could not be performed.  From there the audiologist will take a brief history of your hearing health, such as if you have ever had a hearing test before, when you first noticed your struggles with hearing and/or communication.  It will be important to know any history of infections or surgery, or family history of hearing loss. 

Once the audiologist begins the hearing evaluation, it may take around 20-30 minutes to complete. One test will test the movement of the ear drum and the flexibility of the inner ear muscles to ensure sound is moving properly through you ear. Another test will play a series of chirps to assess the health of your cochlea, or hearing organ. The remainder of your testing will be in the sound booth.  The audiologist will play a series of tones through headphones or ear inserts (similar to a foam earplug) and you will be asked to respond to the tones you hear every time no matter how quiet or soft. These tests will be performed for both ears unless your hearing health history indicates otherwise. Depending on your results from these tests, there may be further testing required. Once the test is complete, your audiologist will counsel you on the results of your hearing test.  This result is called an audiogram.  If further testing is required, your audiologist will discus those with you as well.