Frequency Hearing Test

Before going to the expense of buying an expensive hearing aid, it is always useful to check if the problem with your hearing may be cured by such assistance. If you suffer from hearing loss, if it has been underway for some time or has suddenly occurred will determine what help is needed.

The first step is always to contact your doctor who can determine to a large extent, if hearing loss is temporary or permanent. Temporary hearing loss is generally attributed either to an accumulation of wax in the ear canal, the infection of one kind or a form of trauma to the ear. These can often be treated by the GP and the return to normal very quickly your audience. If it is decided that the hearing loss is something more permanent and has been progressively worse over a period of time, it is likely that more detailed hearing test will be required. Your doctor will advise you to consult an audiologist will test your hearing using an audiometer. The audiometer produces sounds through headphones, at different volumes and frequencies.

The audiologist will ask you when you can hear the sounds produced on a range of frequencies. These results are then plotted on a graph called an audiogram, which gives you a record of your hearing. The audiologist typically begins with finding what is the sweetest you can hear the whole normal range of audio frequencies. It does this by defining a frequency on the audiometer and gradually reduce the volume until it can not be heard. This figure is then plotted on the audiogram.

The audiologist can also increase the level of sound in the same range of frequencies until they become uncomfortable to the ears.

Other tests might include placing a vibrating pillow on the head that emits sounds through the skull to the inner ear. This test, in conjunction with the initial hearing test, will be displayed all the problems that may be associated with eardrum or middle ear.

Remember that if a hearing aid is recommended, it should be understood that it can never reproduce exactly the same as its natural and it may take a little getting used to the new entrance sounds to your ears.