With the New Year in full swing, many people are taking a little extra time to consider how they can improve their health and wellness. One thing that often gets left out of the discussion, but is incredibly important, is hearing testing.
Why Are Hearing Tests Important?
Although some hearing loss can spring on you suddenly, usually after short-term exposure to an extremely loud noise, it’s generally more gradual, as is the case with age-related hearing loss. Scheduling regular tests makes it easier to diagnose hearing loss before it starts interfering with your quality of life.
What Does Hearing Testing Entail?
Your hearing testing appointment typically starts with a visual examination of your ears. This allows the hearing specialist to check for common issues, like earwax buildup, that may be affecting how well you hear.
Once they finish the visual exam, they’ll move on to a pure-tone hearing test. During this test:
- You’ll sit comfortably in a sound-treated room and wear headphones
- You’ll listen to a series of tones at different pitches and volume levels
- You’ll respond by pressing a button or raising your hand each time you hear a sound
After testing, your specialist will review the results with you to determine whether hearing loss is present and, if so, to what degree. If necessary, they may recommend additional assessments, such as tympanometry to evaluate eardrum movement or an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test to check inner ear function.
Scheduling a hearing test paves the way for early treatment if necessary.
Why is Early Treatment Important?
Researchers have established a connection between hearing loss and an increased risk of depression and social isolation, as well as a greater likelihood of falls. Early treatment helps mitigate your risk of these and other negative impacts of hearing loss. In addition to the emotional and physical benefits of early treatment, wearing hearing aids also makes your life a little easier. When you hear clearly, you can move about the world independently and interact with others without the strain of keeping up with every word or sound.
Schedule Your 2026 Hearing Test Today
Our specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation to give you an understanding of your hearing health and any hearing loss treatment you may require. Contact us at Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to schedule your test.