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When you start to lose your hearing, these auditory changes can affect every aspect of your life. It starts small… you find yourself asking other people to repeat themselves in conversation.
Eventually, hearing loss causes you to crank up the TV volume or avoid noisy social settings because you can’t keep up with the discussions.
Whether you are suddenly noticing a change in hearing or you’ve suspected gradual hearing loss over time, it might be time to talk to an ENT for a hearing test near me. A hearing specialist can determine the extent of your hearing loss and offer personalized treatment recommendations.
Hearing Test Frequency
How can you tell when it’s time to schedule a hearing test? Some people choose to book these tests as part of their routine health schedule. Other people notice changes in their hearing and then reach out to a hearing specialist for more information.
Keep in mind that hearing tests aren’t reserved only for people who are noticing a change in their hearing. These tests are also standard throughout childhood, especially since hearing loss can undeniably impact a child’s ability to learn.
The risk of hearing loss goes up with age, which is why routine testing is commonly recommended for older adults. The frequency of these tests depends on your unique needs.
But general guidelines suggest a hearing test every 10 years until you are 50 years old. Then the frequency increases to hearing tests every 3 years or as suggested by your doctor.
Signs You Need a Hearing Test
Here are a few indications that it’s time to talk to a doctor about your hearing:
- Volume: You turn up the radio or television to hear more clearly. These volume settings are too loud to the point where you are bothering other people in the room.
- Conversation: You struggle to understand what other people are saying to you. If you find yourself asking others to repeat themselves regularly, then it could be a sign of hearing loss.
- Missed Sounds: Hearing loss can affect only certain tones and pitches. When you are often missing an alarm clock or don’t hear the doorbell when other people are on the porch, it could indicate hearing loss.
- Body Positioning: Do you deliberately adjust your body position to hear things better? For example, you might twist your body or neck. Or, some people cup an ear to block out background noises.
- Social Exhaustion: Sometimes, the signs of hearing loss have nothing to do with your ears. For example, when you are straining to hear and understand a conversation, it might cause you to feel drained at the end of a social event.
Just because you relate to these signs of hearing loss doesn’t necessarily mean that you need hearing aids. Instead, it’s an excellent time to book a consultation with a hearing expert for an accurate diagnosis.
Finding a Hearing Test Near You
Finding a hearing test near me is easy: simply reach out to our team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat to schedule an appointment.
The good news is that hearing tests are minimally invasive, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the exam. When you come for your hearing test, you can relax in our comfortable office environment while we perform the diagnostics.
Before the hearing test begins, our team will ask questions about your health history and any lifestyle factors that could be impacting your hearing. For example, genetics, family history, work conditions, and hobbies can provide information about your ear exposure.
Once we are done collecting information, then our team moves on to complete a comprehensive hearing assessment. We use multiple testing techniques to evaluate your ability to hear specific pitches and sounds.
Hearing loss can affect one or both ears. So, we complete a hearing test on each ear alone. You will be wearing headphones with softer and louder sounds generated through an audiometer. Varying pitches and volumes are used to measure the full range of your hearing.
Finding Hearing Aids Near You
When your doctor evaluates your hearing test results, it might be determined that you will benefit from the use of hearing aids. This information is valuable to choose the right treatment plan based on your unique circumstances.
This ear equipment is designed to optimize the sounds you can hear. Not only do hearing aids amplify these sounds, but technology can also help block out background noises and distractions.
The good news is that there are many different levels of technology, styles of hearing aids, and price points you can choose. A hearing aid fitting helps you compare the options. Then you can select the ideal equipment to improve your hearing.
During this appointment, your audiologist will discuss available features, take mold impressions of your ears (if needed), and provide recommendations to ensure quality results from your new hearing aids.
Adjusting to Your New Hearing Aids
At Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat, we offer full-service solutions to assist in your selection of the right hearing aids. Not only do we provide a range of products and options, but our team is proactive to support the transition to using your new equipment.
When you start wearing hearing aids, we use technology such as Real Ear Measures to evaluate how the sounds are occurring in your ear canal. The purpose is to adjust your hearing aid settings for proper programming based on your hearing conditions.
It takes time to dial in the right settings for your hearing aids. Once you find the best settings in the office, then you take the hearing aids home to see how they perform in a real-world environment. Don’t hesitate to come back to the office if adjustments are needed.
Hearing Aid Technology to Improve Your Lifestyle
It’s incredible to see how much hearing aid technology has advanced over the years. You can choose from various features designed to match your lifestyle of choice.
For example, modern hearing aids can include Bluetooth access so you can listen to music or dial into a call through your smartphone. Additionally, these WiFi-enabled features give your audiologist access to adjust the settings from a distance if needed.
If you need a hearing test or you’d like to learn more about hearing aid technology, then our team is just a phone call away. We serve patients in the Collin County and Dallas areas. Book online to schedule an appointment at our Frisco or Plano, TX locations. Or, call Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat to learn more about available services: (972) 596-4005.
