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Hearing Self Assessment

Now that you have learned some of the facts about hearing loss and Sound Voids™, you can take the first steps toward prevention or treatment. The following questionnaire has been adapted from a self-assessment tool created by the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Please take the time to answer each question as accurately as possible.

When To Get A Hearing Test

Most hearing loss develops gradually, so the signs are difficult to detect. Ask yourself these questions to evaluate how you are hearing:

    1. Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice more than they use to?
    YES NO
    2. Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?
    YES NO
    3. Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence?
    YES NO
    4. Do you frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves?
    YES NO
    5. Do you have difficulty understanding the conversation in a crowded room?
    YES NO
    6. Do you often turn the volume up on the TV or radio?
    YES NO
    7. Does background noise bother you?
    YES NO
    8. Is it sometimes hard to hear the conversation on the telephone?
    YES NO
    9. Do you sometimes not hear the doorbell or telephone ring?
    YES NO
    10. Are your family or friends complaining about your hearing?
    YES NO

If you answered YES to two or more of these questions, you may want to schedule a hearing test by a doctor of audiology. Through testing, an audiologist can tell you whether you have a hearing loss as well as its nature and extent. If a hearing loss is detected, an appropriate course of action will be recommended.

Do You Need A Hearing Test?

Your hearing is a precious gift – one you need to take care of or run the risk of losing. An important part of hearing care is having your hearing checked periodically. There are several types of hearing evaluations, ranging from a basic hearing test to more complex diagnostic tests for specific ear-related problems.

Basic Hearing Testing

A basic hearing evaluation is performed in a sound–treated test booth. First, you are asked to respond to sounds of different pitch and volume by either raising your hand or pushing a button. Next, you will repeat lists of words in order to evaluate your speech understanding.

Your results are then charted on an audiogram, which gives the audiologist an indication of whether your hearing is within normal limits or if a problem may exist.

If a hearing loss is detected, more testing can be performed to better define the nature and extent and possible cause of the hearing loss. Each test evaluates a different part of the ear. Some typical tests performed include:

Additional diagnostic testing

  • Tympanogram – tests the eardrum and the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum).
  • Acoustic reflexes – measures the movement of the tiny bones behind the eardrum.
  • Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) – checks the function of the tiny hair cells in the inner ear.
  • Speech testing – evaluates the effect of the hearing loss on understanding speech. This can be performed in either a quiet or noisy background, using live or recorded voice.
  • Auditory Evoked Potentials or Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) – evaluates how well sounds travel along the hearing nerve pathways from the ear to the brainstem.
  • Electronystagmography (ENG) – evaluates the part of the inner ear controlling balance. Usually performed on individuals who experience dizziness or balance problem.
  • Auditory Processing Testing (APD/CAPD) – evaluates how the brain perceives or understands what the ear hears. Many times, this test is recommended for children who experience attention or learning problems, or adults who have normal ear function but still have "hearing" difficulty.

Call us for a no-obligation hearing screening (716) 652-6464.