Whether you are experiencing difficulties with your hearing or thinking about replacing your hearing aid, getting a hearing test is essential. There are numerous ways an audiologist can test your hearing. One of them is pure-tone testing. Here the audiologist tests how you hear sounds at different volumes and pitches.
An audiologist can also perform an acoustic reflex test. This test evaluates the muscle contractions of your inner ear to enable the doctor to know the type and location of hearing loss. Another test called the speech test evaluates the lowest speaking volume you can hear, while the bone conduction test measures the responses of your inner ear using a conductor.
Although online hearing tests are available, they are not always reliable. However, they are an excellent place to start if you are concerned about your hearing.
The importance of getting hearing tests
Getting your hearing checked regularly can help your audiologist catch a problem before it progresses too far. In addition, an early diagnosis could allow you to pursue more effective treatments and get better. Moreover, getting a diagnosis can save you a lot of frustration and mental anguish as you will know your condition once and for all.
Getting your hearing evaluated is essential to the health of your ears and your overall body because many health problems can cause hearing loss. High blood pressure and diabetes are some of them. Getting regular check-ups can point your doctor to an underlying condition enabling you to seek treatment hence avoiding more deterioration to your health.
Getting a hearing test before replacing a hearing aid
There are many reasons for people to replace their hearing aids. For instance, your hearing might have changed, making your current ones ineffective. It can also be because your current hearing aids are damaged. Other people replace them simply because they want an upgrade from more traditional aids to others with more features such as Bluetooth.
No matter the reason for the replacement, you need to get a hearing test as it will help you know your current hearing level and spot any changes from your last test. An audiologist could also help you find the best hearing aid for your current situation.
