How do I know if I have a hearing loss? Hearing loss often occurs so gradually that the individual may not be aware of a problem. In fact, it is not uncommon for a hearing loss to be first detected by a family member, who is having to speak louder or repeat themselves. Early signs of hearing loss include: Turning the TV or radio volume louder than other family members prefer. Difficulty understanding speech in a background of noise, for instance in restaurants. More difficulty hearing children and women than men. Difficulty hearing in meetings. Difficulty hearing at public speaking events. Ringing in the ear(s) when no external sound is present. Having things repeated frequently. Difficulty hearing people with low voices. If I suspect I have a hearing loss, what should I do? If you suspect that you have a hearing loss, consult with an audiologist. An audiologist is trained to identify whether a hearing loss requires medical or non-medical treatment and will refer you to the appropriate medical specialist when necessary. The audiologist will identify, diagnose, treat and manage your hearing loss. What can I expect from an audiological evaluation? History The audiologist will perform a thorough assessment of the hearing mechanism, beginning with a history interview. History questions will focus on the following areas: Conditions at birth or during adolescence that may have an impact on hearing. Exposure to workplace, military, or recreational noise. Medications prescribed for medical conditions. Past surgeries. Family traits and hereditary anomalies that may be associated with hearing loss. Visual Inspection of Outer Ear and Ear Drum Following the history, the audiologist will examine the outer ear with an otoscope or video otoscope. The audiologist can observe any damage caused by the use of cotton applicators (Q-tips), trauma, or chronic infection. The audiologist can also observe the condition of the ear drum and determine whether the ear canal may have a buildup of earwax causing a hearing loss. Audiologicial Evaluation After considering a patients history and performing a visual inspection of the outer ear, the audiologist will perform an audiological evaluation composed of a series of tests. These test may include but are not limited to: Tympanometry to assess the status of the middle ear. Pure tone thresholds by air conduction and often by bone conduction to determine the degree and type of hearing loss. Tests of speech threshold and speech recognition to asses comprehension of complex signals. Special tests of auditory function, such as otoacoustic emissions, brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), or balance testing. How do I know if I need a hearing aid(s)? Audiologicial Evaluation The results of the audiological evaluation are a critical factor in helping to determine the need for hearing aid(s), the type of hearing aid(s) and whether one or two aids are needed. The audiologist will review the results of your evaluation and provide various options and recommendations for remediation, if needed. Personal Preference and Physical Health Although the audiological evaluation is necessary to determine a course of action, it does not tell the entire story. Audiologists also consider and weigh the patients personal preferences as well as their overall health. Patients may not be ready to try hearing aids initially, but they will be asked to truthfully assess their degree of communicative difficulty.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 11:30:02 +0000
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