Hearing loss is more common than you think. Hearing loss affects people of all ages, gender, ethnicity, and economic status. About two to three out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing. And about 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
Despite being relatively commonplace, treatment for hearing loss is highly dependent on what’s causing the hearing loss and how it’s impacting your life. This is why we use a multi-step personalized treatment approach at Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service. Our process for testing your hearing is thorough and allows us to provide better care for our patients.
1. Gathering Information
We begin every hearing loss evaluation with a discussion of your medical history, current symptoms, and overall ear health. During the interview portion of your hearing test, Dr. Drummond will ask you a variety of questions to best understand how hearing loss impacts your quality of life.
Common questions include:
- Do you have a family history of hearing loss?
- Do you experience a “ringing” or “whistling” sound in your ears?
- Do you feel that speech often sounds “muffled” or “unclear”?
- Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do you struggle to hear words clearly when there’s background noise?
- Do you work around loud noises?
- Do you have a history of ear infections?
- Are you taking any medications that may be damaging to your hearing (ototoxic)?
2. The Physical Exam
With the interview portion complete, our audiologist will then complete a comprehensive hearing exam. To start, Dr. Drummond will look inside your ears to determine if any physical issues may be causing your hearing loss. He’ll also examine your ears for earwax buildup or other obstructions that may be causing your symptoms.
3. The Hearing Test
After the physical examination of your ears is complete, Dr. Drummond will begin the diagnostic testing process. The testing process will identify the cause of your hearing loss, allowing our audiologist to discuss appropriate treatment options with you afterwards.
The specific types of tests completed during your hearing evaluation may vary based on symptoms and individual findings. Below are a couple test examples you can expect during your hearing evaluation at Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service:
- Pure-tone testing
- Bone-conduction testing
- Speech testing
- Speech-in-noise testing (QuickSIN)
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)
- Tympanometry
- Acoustic reflex measure
4. Your Treatment Options
Upon completing your comprehensive hearing evaluation, our audiologist will have a thorough understanding of your hearing loss and how it impacts your quality of life. Dr. Drummond will use that information to craft a personalized treatment plan, ensuring each patient’s needs are met on an individual basis (patient-centered care).
Most forms of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, but remember, not all hearing losses are the same and no two patients should receive identical treatment. That’s where we’re different! Affordable Audiology & Hearing Service will work with you to make sure we find a hearing loss treatment solution that meets both your lifestyle and budget. We promise to explain your treatment options in terms you can easily understand and carefully guide you on your path towards better hearing!