Having your hearing professionally tested will confirm if a hearing loss is present.
Having a hearing test is the important first step in managing hearing loss as it develops gradually in most over a long period of time, so there is a good chance that you may not have noticed it happening. However, there are several early warning signs that a hearing loss may be present. Things that you, your friends and family may be noticing.
To remove any uncertainty, HEARnet Online recommends that you make an appointment to see a hearing health professional, such as an audiologist, and have a clinical hearing test. The hearing test you have with an audiologist is different to many general online hearing tests, which only test your ability to hear certain sounds over background noise. Depending on the results, these tests can help in the decision-making process to see a hearing health professional, such as an audiologist or audiometrist.
Hearing Test Results
From the results of your hearing test, an audiologist or audiometrist will create a graph known as an audiogram (shown below) that maps the extent of your hearing loss across a range of different sound frequencies. This information is then used to help them decide the best ways that your hearing loss can be managed.
Hearing Loss Management Options
Possible options to help manage your hearing loss can include:
- Hearing technology (Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants etc.)
- Therapies
- Corrective surgery
- Medical treatments.
The process of working with an audiologist and other hearing health professionals to manage hearing loss in Adults is called Rehabilitation, and for Infants and Young Children the process is known as Habilitation.
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