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Hearing Self Assessment

Now that you've learned some of the facts about hearing loss and Sound Voids™, you can take the first steps toward prevention or treatment. The following questionnaire has been adapted from a self-assessment tool created by the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Please take the time to answer each question as accurately as possible.

When To Get A Hearing Test

Most hearing loss develops gradually, so the signs are difficult to detect. To make a quick check on how you are hearing, answer these 10 questions. If you answer yes to two or more, then you would benefit from a more thorough audiologic exam.

1. Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice more than they use to?
YES NO
2. Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?
YES NO
3. Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence?
YES NO
4. Do you frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves?
YES NO
5. Do you have difficulty understanding the conversation in a crowded room?
YES NO
6. Do you often turn the volume up on the TV or radio?
YES NO
7. Does background noise bother you?
YES NO
8. Is it sometimes hard to hear the conversation on the telephone?
YES NO
9. Do you sometimes not hear the doorbell or telephone ring?
YES NO
10. Are your family or friends complaining about your hearing?
YES NO

If you answered YES to two or more of these questions, you should schedule a hearing test by a doctor of audiology. Following that testing, the audiologist can tell you whether you have a hearing loss, as well as the nature and extent of the hearing loss. If a hearing loss is detected, the audiologist will recommend the appropriate course of action.

Do You Need A Hearing Test?

Your hearing is a precious gift – one you need to take care of or run the risk of losing it. An important part of hearing care is having your hearing checked periodically. There are several levels of hearing evaluation, from a basic hearing test to more complex diagnostic tests for specific problems.

Basic Hearing Testing

A basic hearing test is performed in a quiet area (preferably a Sound Booth). An audiometer is a device that produces various pitch sounds (frequencies) at different levels (intensities). The person responds by either raising his/her hand or pushing a button.

The results are charted on an audiogram, which gives the audiologist an indication of whether hearing is within normal limits or if a problem may exist.

If a hearing loss is detected, more testing can be performed to better define the nature and extent and possible cause of the hearing loss. Each test evaluates a different part of the ear. Some typical tests performed include:

Additional diagnostic testing

There are many other tests that can be performed by the doctor of audiology to understand the extent and possible cause of the loss. Each evaluates a different part of the ear. Some of the typical tests performed are:

• Tympanogram – tests the eardrum and the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum)
• Acoustic reflexes – measures the movement of the tiny bones behind the eardrum
• Otoacoustic emission (OAE) – checks the function of the tiny little "hair cells" in the inner ear
• Speech testing – evaluates the effect of the hearing loss on understanding of speech. Sometimes this is performed both in quiet and with a background noise, using live or recorded voice
• Auditory Evoked Potentials (ABR) – checks the acoustic nerve function up to and into the first part of the brain (Pons)
• Electronystagmography (ENG) – evaluates the part of the inner ear controlling balance. Usually performed on individuals who experience dizziness or balance problem
• Auditory Processing Testing (APD/CAPD) – evaluates how the brain perceives or understands what the ear sends to it. Many times this testing is recommended for children who experience attention or learning problems, or adults who have normal ear function but still have "hearing" difficulty.

Call us for a no-obligation hearing screening (630) 858-3277.