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What happens during a hearing test

Hearing tests go beyond simply determining if there is hearing loss.

The foundation for hearing health is a hearing test. Our audiologists will use a series of assessments and tests not just to understand if there is hearing, but the potential causes, impacts and treatments.


Most people wait for a noticeable change in their hearing health before they visit an audiologist. It is essential to get a hearing test if you notice any difficulties hearing, but regular tests are just as necessary.


Here is what to expect during a hearing test at our Edmonton audiology clinic.


Misconceptions of hearing tests

Hearing tests just screen for hearing loss

There are many misconceptions about hearing tests, but perhaps the most widely-held is that a test is only needed when you experience significant hearing loss. Monitoring your hearing plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the necessity of it only increases as we age. 


Beyond that, hearing tests are not only utilized to screen for hearing loss. In a hearing exam, an audiologist performs various tests to identify and treat a wide range of ear conditions, such as tinnitus, ear blockages and infections, and even vertigo – an imbalance caused by issues within the inner or middle ear.


It’s all about listening to different tones

Another common misunderstanding about hearing tests is that there is little more to them than listening to different sounds and tones and responding to what you hear. In reality, there is much more involved in a complete hearing test – particularly because audiologists need to diagnose such a broad scope of ear conditions, like tinnitus.


An audiologist will perform any number of tests depending on your needs. Some of the most common include a visual examination of your ear, a tympanometry test to evaluate the state of your middle ear, speech testing, and pure tone testing.


And every hearing exam will begin with a discussion of your hearing health background and end with an in-depth and in-person review of your results.


Hearing tests go beyond simply determining if there is hearing loss. A full hearing test delves into why you are experiencing problems and what we can do about it.


Full hearing tests go beyond screening

It is difficult to “tell” if you have hearing challenges. You don’t squint with your ears, so you cannot “see” hearing loss, but screening can confirm whether or not you have any hearing loss.


It’s important to understand the difference between screening for hearing loss and a complete hearing examination:


  • A screening test is brief. It typically takes less than 15 minutes to complete and is often simply done online. These are quick checks to determine if hearing loss is present, and nothing more.
  • A screening test is only the first step in a full hearing test. It is not thorough enough for you to truly understand the state of your hearing or what you can do now to improve your overall hearing health.
  • A full hearing examination is made up of a comprehensive set of tests that delve into the cause or reason for any hearing challenges.
  • A complete hearing test aims to provide a full understanding of your hearing health. We assess both the ears and the neurological system. This identifies hearing loss and helps to understand the degree of the deficiency and if the hearing loss is progressive.


When a patient comes in for a hearing test at Professional Audiology in Edmonton, the first thing we want to do is understand the case history. We want to know if you or your friends 


and family have noticed a change in your hearing, and we want to know about your family history. We also want to know about your general health and your lifestyle to help us understand why hearing is important for your day-to-day life.


Complete testing also includes a detailed breakdown of your results, and unlike many other medical appointments, hearing tests can be reviewed and evaluated immediately. We’ll match your results with the hearing challenges you experience, and we’ll compare your results to “normal” hearing.


We’ll also answer any questions you have, make recommendations for technology and rehabilitation options, and then – together – we can decide what your next steps are.


Audiologists work collaboratively with their patients when conducting a full hearing test, and we are always excited to share the details of our procedures. We find patients are often fascinated by the process and interested in hearing about the science and technology that make hearing tests possible.


Taking an active interest in the process is beneficial to your understanding of your hearing health. This helps you to understand the cause or origin of your hearing issues.


Goals of hearing tests

When conducting a full hearing test, we are seeking the answers to several questions:


How much speech do you understand? Speech testing determines how well you differentiate between similar-sounding words. This test is useful because it emulates a hearing challenge that is very common in real-life scenarios.

 

Is the hearing loss progressive? Progressive hearing loss is when your hearing worsens over time. It can deteriorate slowly, or it can happen quickly in a matter of weeks or months. Determining if your hearing issues are progressive will help our audiologists find the best treatment options to suit your needs.

 

What types of technology or treatment would be effective? We want to match your care, treatment and technology with the hearing you’re currently experiencing, and we want your treatment plan to suit your lifestyle.

 

What is your hearing baseline? The first time you have your hearing checked as an adult, it serves as a baseline of your current hearing levels for future examinations. This is the easiest way for an audiologist to monitor your hearing and, in the future, determine if there is a loss and how significant it is. 


Get your hearing baseline

You should get a baseline test done by the age of 40, and you should have your hearing tested every few years after that. If any abnormal hearing results are found, then your testing should increase in frequency to every two years.

 

The causes of hearing problems can be a mystery. Roughly two out of three people with hearing loss don’t know how or why they have developed it. Understanding the reason for your hearing loss is essential for selecting the best technology or treatment, and comprehensive hearing tests are the only way to find that information.

 

Diagnostic hearing tests collect the data needed to answer the “why” and create a baseline to assess future changes and understand the impact of future damage.

Common questions about hearing tests

How much does a hearing test cost?

At Professional Audiology, hearing tests are free. Since tests are essential to hearing health, we include hearing tests in the care that we provide.


Can you pass a hearing test but still have problems hearing?

Hearing health is complex. You may be able to listen to a wide range of sounds and pass a screening test, but there are more ear or hearing challenges that may impact your overall health. At Professional Audiology, our full hearing tests consider the health of your entire hearing system – from ear to brain.

 

Do online hearing tests work?

Online hearing tests can help you screen your hearing for a potential loss, but that is only the first step in understanding your hearing issues and finding a solution. At Professional Audiology, an audiologist will complete both screening and a comprehensive hearing test. No matter the hearing challenges you notice (or don’t notice), our team strives to understand and explain your hearing.


How long do hearing tests take?

Our hearing tests can take an hour or longer to complete. We want to ensure we cover every aspect of your hearing health, so an audiologist will conduct a review of your health history and will take the time to discuss the results with you right after your hearing test.


How do I schedule a hearing test?

Contact us to book an appointment for a hearing test in Edmonton.


What should I expect from my visit?

If this is your first time at a hearing clinic (or if you’ve been before), see our guide to hearing care. Or send us any questions you have before your visit. 

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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