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Hearing Tests Are Quick and Painless, But Important!

Scheduling your hearing evaluation may be a big step for you. You may have put off making the appointment for months due to uncertainty about how the test works or fear of what the result may mean for you. At Hear Again Hearing Aids, we understand your apprehension and we want to put you mind at ease by fully explaining the hearing testing process and what the results mean. The first thing to understand is the difference between a hearing screening and a hearing test.

Hearing Screening

A hearing screening is a quick test that tells the evaluator whether the subject has any hearing deficits. It cannot determine the cause or degree of hearing loss, but is a great tool for determining who may need more thorough testing. Hearing screenings are done on newborns and in many schools on young children.

In most hearing screenings, the subject wears headphones and listens to tones at four different frequencies at 25 decibels. The test only takes three or four minutes. If the subject hears all four tones, he has passed the screening. If he fails to hear any of the frequencies, he will be recommended for further testing. Newborns are tested through a feedback method that tells the evaluator if there are any structural anomalies, but doesn’t require the subject to respond. At Hear Again Hearing Aids, you can schedule a free hearing screening at our Corpus Christi office or you can take our free online hearing screening for immediate results.

Hearing Test

If any hearing deficits are noted in a screening, the subject will be asked to schedule a complete hearing evaluation to determine the degree of hearing loss, the underlying cause of the deficit, and possible treatment options. This test will take about an hour, but is completely painless and non-invasive. Most hearing tests are performed by audiologists or hearing aid technicians and follow these steps:

  • A complete case history is taken, including specific medical conditions that could be contributing to hearing loss and information about changes in your hearing or exposure to loud noises that may have damaged your hearing.
  • A physical examination of the ears will be conducted during which the hearing professional will look into the ears with a special light called an otoscope. Any unusual wax build-up or structural problems in the inner ear will be noted.
  • To test the middle ear, a test called tympanometry may be conducted to test ear drum movement, the presence of fluid, and to rule out any Eustachian tube abnormalities. Acoustic reflex testing may also be performed to make sure the muscles of the middle ear are contracting properly in response to sound.
  • Speech and tone testing are then performed to discover the full range of the patient’s hearing. The subject will enter a sound-treated test booth and will be asked to respond by raising his hand or pressing a button, or, in the case of a speech test, repeating what he hears through the headphones. Hearing thresholds for each pitch will be determined for each ear.

Depending on the results of each part of the test, more tests may be performed to pinpoint the exact range of your hearing and the cause of any hearing loss. Your audiologist will generate a report based on the test results and will go over the details with you.

Hearing Test Results

Your hearing test results will be reported in the form of an audiogram, which is a graph that shows the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss. The graph will show whether you are suffering from high-frequency or low-frequency hearing loss and at which volume levels you have difficulty hearing or understanding sounds. Based on these results, your hearing professional will discuss your options for hearing correction and whether a hearing aid is the right choice for you.

Trust Hear Again Hearing Aids for All Your Hearing Care Needs

At Hear Again Hearing Aids, we do more than just fit and adjust hearing aids. We offer free hearing screenings and comprehensive hearing testing and will take the time to explain your results and options for treatment. Schedule an appointment through the link on this page today. We are waiting to hear from you!

Our Location

3314 S. Alameda St
Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Toll Free: Phone: (361) 232-4392

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm