What You Can Expect From the Hearing Test in Hearing Wales
There are many steps that are part of a hearing test and hearing aid evaluation. If you suspect that you have a hearing loss or might need a hearing aid, you will need to have a hearing test to evaluate clearly what is going on. The hearing test is relatively non intrusive and will take less than an hour. At the time of the hearing test we will take a case history to determine how much your hearing problem impacts your day-to-day life as well as the lives of your family. We will ask questions about when and how your sense of a hearing loss started, if there is ringing in your ears (tinnitus) and if you experience dizziness. We will also ask some basic questions about your general health history.
The Hearing Test in Hearing Wales
The hearing test itself can involve the following tests;
- Pure tone testing (Audiometry)
- Speech testing (Audiometry)
- Tympanometry
- Acoustic Reflex Threshold testing
- Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) testing
The results from your hearing test will provide us with a clear understanding of the sounds you are missing and hearing. The answers about your daily life and perception of the impact of your hearing loss provide the basis for a more comprehensive understanding. Depending on the results of your test, you may be referred to a medical doctor specializing in disorders of the ear, this is a rare occurrence though.
A Clear Treatment Plan
On foot of your diagnostic evaluation and if your hearing test reveals a permanent hearing loss, a hearing aid may be recommended for one or both ears. We will explain what sounds you are not hearing and what a hearing aid can do to help you in your day to day life. We will set out and agree a clear treatment plan that covers all of the elements of your treatment and your individualized Patient Journey. We will always ensure that you are clear on what we propose, how we propose to deliver it and how you can be expected to benefit from it.
Hearing Aid Candidacy
We will help you choose the best hearing aid style, features and level of sophistication based on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, and financial circumstances. The final decision on which hearing aid is purchased is always your decision. Once you make a decision, we may take impressions of your ears if you selected a custom hearing aid or a behind-the-ear hearing aid that requires an earmold. Hearing aids must usually be ordered from a manufacturer and then programmed by us to meet your specific hearing needs.
