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The Hearing Test Resolving a Hearing Problem
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People often have no idea that they are suffering from hearing loss until they have a hearing test done. With hearing tests, you can discover if you are suffering from hearing loss as well as determine what type of hearing loss you have. For instance, you could suffer from either conductive hearing loss or a sensorineural hearing loss. With the proper hearing tests, you and your audiologist can choose the right device to regain the maximum amount of hearing possible.
Hearing tests are simple, but many people choose to avoid them because of their busy lifestyle. If you are often around loud noises a hearing test done by an audiologist is the ideal way to determine if your hearing is being damaged. Your genetics and family history can play a role in your hearing loss as well. After discussing this with you, your audiologist will move on and check to see if there is anything abnormal inside your ear.
A sound proof booth or room is where you will be placed to conduct the next part of your hearing test. This room provides a buffer from outside noises and sounds that allows you to pick up only what the audiologist wants you to hear. Not all hearing tests will involve a sound booth because not every hearing professional will have one in their office. While in the booth, you will have earphones over your ears and the audiologist plays a sequence of tones at various pitches for you to identify. This is called the pure tone test. You will raise your hand for the ear you hear the sound in during this portion of the examination.
The next type of hearing test that is performed is with a bone conductor placed directly behind your ear. Pure tones bypass the outer and middle ear to directly reach the cochlea. This will help your audiologist see the type of damage done to the inner ear. If you suffer conductive hearing loss, then damage is done to the outer or middle ear, possibly from a build-up of wax, an ear infection, busted eardrum, or some type of birth defect. Conductive hearing loss is reversible with surgery or other medical treatments.
If you suffer from sensorineural hearing loss, your damage is a nerve-related condition. This is caused by long exposure to loud noises, birth defects or problems, age, infections, trauma, use of certain medications or heredity. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually treated with hearing aids, or in some cases, with cochlear implants. How you are treated will depend on the severity of your case.
With a hearing test, your audiologist can find out what type of hearing damage you are suffering from be it sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. They can also see how much hearing loss has occurred by measuring the present damage. Your doctor will show you your results on an audiogram and you will be able to see which ear has more damage, if any. If you are given a clean bill of hearing, the audiologist can make recommendations to ensure that your hearing continues to be healthy and stay at its maximum level.
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The answer to your queries about hearing loss and hearing aids is at Best Hearing Aids Information.
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