Just over one in eight people in America above the age of 12 experience some level of hearing loss in both ears. If you are concerned about your hearing, visiting an audiologist should be high on the agenda.

It can be a daunting prospect, especially if you have not had an audiologist appointment for a long time. Once you know what to expect, though, you will have nothing to fear. Firstly, your audiologist will complete a physical inspection to spot any abnormalities. After this, you will undergo a range of hearing exams. The most likely solutions are detailed below.

Otoscopy

Following the initial ear inspection of the outer ear, your audiologist will use an otoscope to inspect the eardrum and ear canal. This examination is used to identify wax buildups and other instructions, as well as infections or signs of a burst eardrum. This is often the first examination to be completed as it helps the audiologist gain a clearer image.

Audiometry

Hearing loss can be categorized as mild, moderate, severe or profound. Audiometry exams are used to determine the level of hearing loss that you experience. You will sit in a booth, where a series of noises will be played through a set of headphones. You will then press a button each time you hear a noise. The test is also known as pure-tone testing.

The results will then be recorded on a graph known as an audiogram to identify the highest pitch tones that you can hear. The results are split into the left and right ear, which gives your audiologist the opportunity to determine the severity of hearing loss in each ear.

Speech Testing

A speech test is very similar to audiometry. You will sit inside a booth with headphones once more. However, the audiologist will say words that you are then told to repeat. It helps determine how you hear dialogue. Background noise may also be played to replicate real-world environments and analyze your ability to detect speech in noisy spaces.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is an examination of the middle ear function. A small amount of pressure is placed into the air, which allows the audiologist to check for inner ear fluid abnormalities or to check the movement of the eardrum. In addition to identifying infections, it can spot eustachian tube dysfunction.

The test is completed by inserting a tympanometry into the ear canal, which will record the eardrum’s responses at different pressure levels. If the examination produces a normal reading, the graph will resemble the look of a mountain.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

Finally, an ABR exam is where you will have electrodes placed on your head. They will monitor the brain’s responses to sounds and auditory stimuli. It is a far less common exam and is often used on babies. It is completely non-invasive.

What’s Next?

The results of your hearing examinations will determine whether hearing aids or other steps are required. If this is needed, the audiologist will guide you through different styles and subsequently book a fittings appointment to check the calibration.