Taking a Hearing Test - What You Should Do

A hearing test, most often performed using an audiometer, is an exam which measures an individual's ability to hear higher and lower frequencies. Failure to hear beyond a certain threshold is often a sign of diminished auditory ability and a sign that treatment should begin. This treatment could be done in the form of surgery, earwax removal, or could be limited to the use of auditory aids and listening devices. If you are scheduled to undergo screening, here are some of the things you should do.

Talk To Your Doctor

In order to perform a successful hearing test, your doctor or audiologist needs some information from you. Certain things could affect the way the audiogram should be read and how the results should be interpreted. Inform your administrator if you've been exposed to especially loud noise in the last few days that could affect your ability to hear correctly. If possible, avoid exposure to such noise in the day leading up to the screening. Tell them about any antibiotics you might be taking, as some of them can have a direct affect on your ability to hear. If you've had a cold or ear infection recently, this should be noted as well.

Wax, Injury, and Obstruction

Ideally, a doctor should examine a patient's ears before administering a hearing test. After all, if your ears are plugged up with wax or you've suffered an injury to your eardrum, it's going to affect your ability to pass the screening. Out of all possible issues with your sensory difficulties, wax blockage is among the easiest to fix. However, it is important that you not attempt to clean or remove the wax on your own before a screening. In fact, seeing a doctor for earwax removal is usually the best way to safely take care of the problem to begin with.

Make Yourself Comfortable

It is important during a hearing test that you be comfortable and able to focus exclusively on the task at hand. This means removing any jewelry or eyeglasses that could interfere with the headphones being placed correctly. It also means you should go to the bathroom and eliminate any other distractions. It can be difficult to hear every tone played even for someone with perfect ears. If your mind is wandering, it will affect your ability to respond to the tones, which can throw off the results of the screening.

Submitting to a hearing test isn't akin to giving up, as so many people think. In fact, it is the opposite. If you can't hear well, there are things that can be done to improve your situation. Getting screened is the first step towards that improvement.