If you suspect you have hearing loss, a hearing test is the perfect place to start your journey to treatment. At Arkansas Professional Hearing Care, we understand the essential role your hearing ability plays in your everyday communication. That’s why we have a comprehensive series of hearing tests, all of which are non-invasive, painless and simple to perform.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three types of hearing loss a person might have: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss or mixed hearing loss. Undergoing a series of hearing tests will determine the type of hearing loss you may have. The tests are pain-free and can range from 10-15 minutes each. These tests may include:
- Pure-tone and speech tests
- Otoacoustic emissions tests
- Middle ear tests
Types of Hearing Tests
Speech and pure tone tests: During speech and pure-tone tests, you be asked to wear headphones. During the exam, sounds or speech will hear sound through the headphones at varying pitches and volumes. You will be asked to respond to the stimulus by raising your hand.
Otoacoustic emissions tests: These tests are reserved for examining the inner ear. Otoacoustic emissions tests rely on a small probe to see how the tiny hair cells within the inner ear react to noise stimulus.
Middle ear tests: Middle ear tests, such as tympanometry tests, test how well the eardrums work. During this test, your audiologist will insert a small probe into each ear. While this may sound painful, you likely won’t experience more than just pressure.
It’s easy to prepare for your hearing tests:
1. Write down your current symptoms
2. Write down or bring a list of current medications
3. Bring your medical history
4. Consider bringing a friend or family member
5. Think if you’ve been exposed to any loud noises or have had ear infections in the last year
Having this information at hand will enable you to have a more thorough conversation with our audiologist, without stress or worry that you’re forgetting something.
At the end of the hearing tests, you’ll be diagnosed with the type and degree of hearing loss. This diagnosis will enable you and the team at Arkansas Professional Hearing Care to find the right hearing loss solution for you, your lifestyle and your budget.