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Top questions about hearing screening

Hearing screening is a simple test that involves listening to a series of tones of varying pitches and indicating at what level you can hear them. It is the type of hearing test that most people are familiar with.


Although hearing screening isn’t a replacement for a full hearing test, it is useful to determine if your hearing is “normal.” Hearing tests go beyond simply determining if you have hearing loss and explore the potential causes.


The benefits of hearing screening are:


  • It provides an indication of your current hearing health: Screening is not just for people who are experience symptoms of hearing loss – everyone should have their hearing screened regularly.
  • It’s convenient: Having your hearing screened is a quick and simple process. It can be completed in just three minutes, and because the test can be administered online, it can be done from anywhere using your personal computer.
  • It can signal a hearing condition: Many people do not realize they are experiencing hearing loss. If you do not pass a hearing screening, you will need to see an audiologist for a more comprehensive evaluation.


At Professional Audiology, we use hearing screening tests as a starting point. Just like temperature is a good starting point when checking the current weather, there are many more indicators that together provide the full picture.


These are the benefits of a hearing test:


  • It’s more comprehensive: A full hearing examination is made up of a comprehensive series of tests that gives your audiologist a full understanding of the state of your hearing. It delves into the entire hearing system to diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss and determine the underlying cause.
  • It can indicate more other health conditions: Hearing loss can often be a symptom of a more serious health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and a complete hearing test can be used to identify an issue.
  • It can help to improve your wellbeing: A complete hearing test includes an expert analysis of your results by an audiologist, who will then work with you to determine the best course of treatment to improve your overall hearing health.


If you want to experience a hearing screening test, take our online hearing screener. In just three minutes, you can get an idea of how well you’re hearing.


Why is a hearing screening important?

Screening is valuable in many areas in healthcare to indicate if a full diagnostic test should be done. For various conditions and diseases – including cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and more – screening assists in finding health problems earlier. When you renew your driver’s license, the quick vision screening confirms your eyesight is adequate enough for safe driving.


Hearing screening can be used to identify potential hearing loss or other hearing conditions. Many people do not realize they are experiencing hearing loss, and the longer a condition goes untreated, the worse it can become.


A “pass” or a “fail” result from a hearing screening isn’t 100% conclusive, but it is a starting point. If you pass, you likely do not have significant hearing loss. If you do not pass, we recommend you see an audiologist for a more comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health.



What is the difference between a hearing screening and a hearing test?

Hearing screening provides a quick hearing check-in to determine if hearing loss is present. It is the tip of the iceberg.


A hearing test gives you a full understanding of the state of your hearing. During a hearing test, the first step is to gain an understanding of your case history. We will ask you about your family history, your prior medical conditions, and if you or your loved ones have noticed any changes in your hearing.  


Your audiologist then administers a comprehensive series of tests, including a visual examination of your ear, a tympanometry test, speech testing, and pure tone testing.


We will conclude your hearing test with a detailed breakdown of your results, where we will answer any questions you may have and make recommendations for the next steps.


Read more about hearing tests in our article: What happens during a hearing test?


What happens during a hearing screening?

For an online screening, you will wear a set of earbuds or headphones and listen to a range of tones. You will hear different pitches and frequencies, and you will indicate at what volume you can hear the tones. And that’s it!


Your results will tell you whether or not your hearing is normal, and we will let you know if you require more comprehensive testing.


How long does a hearing screening take?

A hearing screening is quick! It can be done in 3 minutes online.


What does it mean if I fail a hearing screening?

If you do not pass the screening, it might mean that you have hearing loss or another hearing condition. But it might not.


To be certain, you need to have a full hearing test done. Hearing screening is not the most accurate assessment tool – it should be used as a starting point in determining your hearing health.


I passed! Do I still need a hearing test?

Hearing screening provides an indication of your overall hearing, but it cannot be used to diagnose or treat hearing loss. It also does not take into account any issues you may be experiencing that may or may not be related to your hearing. It is only the first step in hearing healthcare.


Even if you pass your test and you are not experiencing any symptoms or discomfort, it is still a good idea to have a complete hearing test done. This will serve as a baseline of your current hearing levels. An audiologist can then use this hearing baseline in the future to monitor your hearing and diagnose any future hearing loss.


Can I try a hearing screener?

Take the online hearing screener from Professional Audiology. In just a few minutes, we can give you an idea of how well you are hearing.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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