Question to Ask During Your Hearing Test

If you want to get the most out of your hearing test, you need to ask a few key questions during the exam and after it’s over. Your audiologist will be happy to answer them and will help you to address your concerns about your hearing level and what the test might be showing. But what questions should you ask to make sure you get the right information? Here’s five to consider.

Do I Have Hearing Loss?

After your hearing test, it’s important to ask your audiologist about the results. By asking directly, you’ll receive a clear and straightforward answer. Knowing whether you have hearing loss can be helpful, as it might explain some of the difficulties you’ve been facing in your daily life. If you want to be sure about your hearing, don’t hesitate to ask for clarity. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of your hearing health.

What Type of Hearing Loss Do I Have?

If you have hearing loss, you can then ask about the type of hearing loss you have. This is where the audiologist will put the results of your hearing test into terms you can understand and they will also let you know the severity of hearing loss you are experiencing. There are three types of hearing loss. These include:

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Conductive hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss.

Once you know what type of hearing loss you have, you can ask for more information on the type you’re living with, how you can manage it and how it can be treated.

What Level of Hearing Loss Do I Have?

Different to the type of hearing loss you’re living with, the level of hearing loss you’re experiencing is another factor in the way your life can be impacted by hearing loss.

No hearing loss is known as normal. This means you can hear between zero decibels and 20 decibels. If you have a range of hearing outside of this, you will be described as having one of these hearing loss levels:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Moderately Severe
• Severe
• Profound

Your audiologist will be able to tell you the exact decibel level you can hear at. This will help your audiologist provide the right treatment plan for you. There are several different hearing aid options available that work for different types of hearing loss.

Can You Explain the Results of the Test to Me?

If you cannot understand your audiogram, ask the audiologist about the results before you leave the appointment. If you’re ever unsure about a hearing test audiogram, point out what you need explained and your audiologist will answer any question you have.

Do I Need Hearing Aids?

This is a good question to ask if you’re told you have a degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids are the most common and effective way to address hearing loss, with various types of hearing aids on the market. Ask about the different types, like in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC) and which one will be right for you.