An audiologist will administer a hearing test to assess hearing levels using common tests like whispering, tapping with a tuning fork, and bone conduction tests. If hearing loss is determined, various hearing aid options will be discussed. While getting hearing tested may seem scary, seeking help can improve quality of life by allowing one to hear fully again without having to ask people to repeat themselves.

1. What to Expect When Your Hearing is Tested
Does it seem you aren’t hearing as clearly as you
once did? Perhaps a loved one has suggested that you
may need hearing aids. There’s no need to suffer with
hearing loss alone. Ask your primary care physician
for a list of hearing specialists.
An audiologist will administer a hearing test. Most of us have not had our
hearing tested since we were children and it was assessed each year at
school. We would be instructed to raise our hand whenever we heard a
sound through the headphones that were placed on our head.
Adult hearing assessments are equally unobtrusive and are performed in a
short office visit. The doctor or nurse may whisper to you at varying audible
levels. The doctor may tap on your knee or elbow with a tuning fork to see if
you can hear the vibrations. Bone conduction tests are performed by placing
a device behind the ear to determine how well sounds are heard.
If it is determined that hearing devices are needed, many options are
available. Your hearing aid provider will go over the choices with you. Feel
free to ask any questions, as part of their job is to provide hearing aid
advice. They can also recommend hearing accessories to extend the life of
your devices, make the sound emitted stronger and improve your quality of
life.
Seeking hearing aid help can be scary. You’ll be glad you did it, though. You
don’t have to go through life asking people to repeat themselves and
wondering what you’re missing out on. You owe it to yourself and those who
love you to get the help you need in order to hear to your fullest potential.
You deserve the wonderful gift of sound.
Preferred Hearing Care
5 East Main St., Suite 1, Merrimac, MA 01860, 866-330-4327
60 State St. Suite 700 Boston MA 02109