Your first hearing test: What to expect

You should expect at your first hearing test to receive a thorough and detailed auditory assessment.

There is often a charge for this assessment. It is sometimes covered by insurance. Be sure to ask before the test begins, if you are not sure.

The actual hearing test takes about 20 minutes. The primary goal of the initial hearing test is to rule out a medical condition involving your ears, and to assess your candidacy for amplification.

• Ear Inspection. Prior to an auditory assessment the HHP should thoroughly inspect your ears to make sure you do not have a medical condition or wax buildup in your ears.
• Testing. As part of a clinical protocol, the HHP should conduct the following tests or procedures in a sound booth/sound proof room. Without testing in a sound treated area, you cannot be assured of receiving an accurate or valid auditory assessment. An exception is if you are confined to a nursing home or are not ambulatory and are home bound. In these instances testing should be done at your place of residence in the quietest area of your home.

Below are the basic make-up of tests that allow the HHP to evaluate your hearing abilities:

• Pure tone audiometry measuring your hearing sensitivity in each ear. Loudness discomfort level testing utilizing tones to assess your tolerance of loud sounds.
• Speech in noise testing, measuring your ability to understand speech in noisy listening situations.
• Annoyance of noise testing that measures your annoyance to noise.
• May include some “automatic” tests assessing the mechanics of the middle and inner ear.

Hearing Healthcare of Virginia

Hearing Healthcare of Virginia is offering complimentary hearing screenings at its six locations in the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia – Charlottesville, Covington, Culpeper, Fishersville, Harrisonburg, and Lexington.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (866) 341-4327.

More online at HearVirginia.com.