If you suspect you may have hearing loss the best thing you can do for yourself is to get a hearing test. It’s painless, takes only an hour of your time, and is usually free. All good hearing specialists will follow the same basic regimen, including gathering your health history and conducting an ear exam with a video otoscope. During this procedure you and your specialist will be able to take a closer look at your ear canal on a large video screen. The specialist will check for obstructions (like earwax), infections or other medical conditions that could affect hearing. If there is no medical reason for hearing loss, the hearing specialist will perform a series of tests including an audiogram and a speech test to check for hearing loss.

Like most medical testing the experience can be overwhelming especially if you have difficultly hearing what the specialist is trying to explain. Your hearing specialist should make your feel comfortable and be willing to answer any questions you have. It can also be helpful to bring a loved one along. Having another person there to take in the information can help ease your stress.

Don’t be afraid to ask…

Check out our list of helpful questions below. You should leave the hearing specialists office with a good understanding of your hearing test results and treatment options.

  • What kind of hearing loss do I have?
  • Is it medically treatable?
  • Are their specific frequencies or types of sound I have more trouble with than others?
  • Will I receive a copy of my audiogram and other test results?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Is there anything I can do on my own to hear better?
  • Can I prevent further hearing loss?

If your hearing loss can be helped by hearing aids you should not feel pressured to buy the same day.  Don’t hesitate to ask more questions to make sure you fully understand the results of your hearing test and the options presented to you.

Southwestern Hearing Centers offers a free hearing test as well as a 30-day-risk-free trial. You can try the hearing aids in your every day life to see how they work with your lifestyle. Call today to schedule your free hearing test.