It can be overwhelming to be experiencing hearing problems and not know how it will play out. Do you need hearing aids? Is it something less serious? A hearing test is the only way to determine the extent of your hearing problems, but how does it work? Do you need to prepare? What should you do and not do before a hearing test?
Ideally, 12-16 hours before your test, you should avoid loud noises as this can cause temporary hearing loss which may skew your test results. Additionally, if you know that you are sick prior to the test, it’s best to reschedule as some symptoms can also affect test results.
Read on to learn more about hearing tests and how to prepare for a hearing test properly.
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How to Prepare for a Hearing Test
Properly preparing for a hearing test is crucial for gaining an accurate result. Fortunately, the preparation isn’t intense. There are a few things you need to be aware of - what to do and what not to do - before you arrive for your appointment.
What Not to Do Before a Hearing Test
Before your hearing test, there are a couple of things that you should be mindful of to ensure that the test runs smoothly and you get accurate results. These are:
Avoid Loud Noises
For 12-16 hours before your test, it’s important to avoid loud noises. What many people don’t know is that exposure to loud noises before your test can skew the results as it can temporarily reduce the quality of your hearing, thus making your results inaccurate.
If you can’t avoid loud noises (e.g. because of your job), be sure to communicate this with your audiologist so that they can factor it into your results.
Don’t Ignore Changes in Your Hearing - Communicate Them
In the lead-up to your appointment, don’t ignore the changes in your hearing that made you schedule the appointment. Be conscious of these changes and make note of them so that you can relay your concerns to your audiologist. They will need this information as part of the test.
Reschedule Your Appointment If You’re Sick
If you’re sick with cold or flu symptoms, we recommend rescheduling your appointment as such illnesses can cause fluids to go into the ear. Any fluid in the ear may cause results to be inaccurate, as it can reduce your hearing.
What You SHOULD Do Before a Hearing Test
On the flip side of things, here are some of the things that you SHOULD do to prepare for a hearing test.
Make Sure Your Ears are Clean
Whilst not essential, it can be helpful to the audiologist if you arrive with clean ears so that they can clearly see inside your ear canal. This does not mean that you should insert anything into your ear (this is dangerous!). Instead, take a washcloth and gently clean the outside of your ears.
If you’re concerned about deeper earwax buildup, it can also be useful to use ear drops such as Earol for a week or so before your appointment. This will soften any wax present.
Bring Someone With You
If you’re feeling particularly anxious, you can bring a friend or family member with you. Not only should this help to ease your discomfort, but they may be able to provide additional information about your hearing from an outside perspective.
They will also be able to listen in and ensure that you have all the information you need from your test so that you can better understand your results.
What to Expect During and After Your Hearing Test
Now you know all about preparing for a hearing test, you might want to know what to expect during and after your test.
During
A hearing test usually takes around one hour, but what happens during your test will vary from clinic to clinic. At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, you can expect the following:
We’ll start by asking about your case history and your recent ear health.
We will use an otoscopy to carry out a visual examination of the outer ear to make sure it's healthy and show you the results on our client display screen.
We then conduct a tympanometry test to measure the function of the eardrums and middle ear.
We will conduct a pure tone assessment. This involves playing a series of sounds through a headset that you respond to. This provides us with an audiogram of each ear.
We will conduct a speech-in-quiet test measuring your ability to hear speech in quiet environments.
We will conduct a second speech in noise test measuring your ability to hear speech in noisy environments.
After
Once we have completed your hearing test, we will explain your results in simple language. We also provide you with a written report and copy of your audiogram, which is normally emailed to you within 48 hours.
For some results, we may need to refer you to your GP. In this case and with your permission we will provide you with a referral letter for your GP advising them of your results and why we are referring you to them. You will then need to make an appointment to see your GP and show them the letter.
Where we believe you would benefit from hearing aids, we will discuss your options with you and arrange your next steps.
Book Your Private Hearing Test in Sheffield
At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we provide a range of hearing services in our clinics in Sheffield and Barnsley. Our Lead Audiologist and Clinic Director, Mr Paul Jackson, has over 22 years of qualified experience working with some of the biggest names in the UK. After leaving his role as the Head of Audiology for Bayfield Opticians and Audiologists, Paul set up the Hearing Excellence Clinic to bring him back to the role he loves, helping his customers live their lives to the fullest.
If you’re in need of a hearing test in Sheffield or Barnsley, visit our Hearing Test page for more information or to book your appointment online today. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team with any questions.
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