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If you are thinking about making an appointment to have your ears checked, it is important that you understand the process and be prepared for the ultimate day. Taking care of your ear health will go a long way towards achieving greater success in life. Although the process of a hearing test varies from state to state and clinic to clinic, you will be put through some standard steps, some of which are explained below in order to give you a general idea.
- Do I have to fill out forms before my hearing test?
Certainly, yes. These forms are important in order to provide you the best care possible. It is this paperwork that informs your ear specialist of any medical conditions present, your heath background as well as your options for payment. Filling the forms to the best of your ability will help the hearing doctor make the right choice of treatment, and provide you with the best possible hearing test.
- Do I need to see multiple healthcare physicians?
At The Hearing Doctor, we perform all tests related to your hearing. In some cases, you will be referred to another healthcare physician. If you have an underlying health conditions that call for a doctor specialized in that field, your hearing care professional will refer you to an appropriate doctor.
- Am I required to mention all payment options?
Yes, your hearing care professional will ask for more than one payment information. Some insurance plans cover hearing test as well as hearing aids. If you have one such plan, you will be covered for most or all of the treatment.
- Do I need to give out my medical history?
It is important to mention all of the medical conditions that you are suffering from during the initial paperwork. This way your hearing doctor will know what exactly is causing the hearing loss. For instance, people who have undergone chemotherapy for cancer treatment are likely to suffer from hearing loss and this cause can be singled out by mentioning it on the papers. Sometimes, it may be that your prescribed medication is causing a temporary loss of hearing. Other times, there may be earwax or foreign objects present inside your ears that is causing the blockage. Your hearing professional will pinpoint the cause or refer you to another doctor if needed.
- Can I discuss other concerns during hearing test?
Certainly, yes. Your hearing doctor is open to any discussion pertaining to the hearing test as well as health issues that you are suffering from that may have led to hearing loss. It is important that you describe exactly what difficulties you are experiencing and the environment condition that is impacting the loss. Let your hearing doctor know of the trouble you face during work or social activities as well.
- When will the ear inspection and hearing test take place?
As soon as you finish the paperwork and describe your current situation, your hearing care professional will conduct a thorough physical exam of your ears with an otoscope. The doctor will look for any signs of medical conditions, earwax buildup, foreign object or any thing else that is contributing to the hearing loss during your hearing test.
- What tests are conducted during the hearing test?
Your hearing doctor will subject you to mainly three tests namely pressure test, speech test and tone test. During pressure test, the flexibility of your eardrum as well as its ability to relay sound is tested. For speech test, you will be asked to repeat words or sentences that you hear at various levels. In a tone test, various frequency sounds are made to hear and tested.
- How long will the hearing test last?
Depending on your hearing and medical condition, it may take anywhere from one hour to three hours. Multiple visits may be required if your hearing loss is caused by underlying health issues.
- What happens after the hearing test?
Your hearing doctor will discuss the results of test. He or she will make appropriate recommendations based on those results. If needed, you will be prescribed a hearing aid or other assistive devices. Annual hearing tests will also be a part of your prescription.