Having your hearing tested can be a transformational moment for many Canadians. Many adults get their hearing tested for the first time because they have experienced one of the following:
- Trouble hearing people in noisy environments like work or a restaurant.
- Difficulty following voices in a group setting.
- Difficulty following conversations that happen over the phone.
- Hearing a consistent ringing in their ears.
- Being asked by family and loved ones to have their hearing tested.
- They are applying for a job that requires hearing tests for employment purposes.
There are other reasons someone may get their hearing tested. Children may undergo Central Auditory Processing Disorder testing if they exhibit signs such as difficulty following directions, difficulty with attention or hearing when background noise is present.
Hearing tests do not have to be intimidating. This guide should answer all of the most frequently asked questions you have about hearing tests.
Where to Get a Hearing Test?
The first question you may ask is: where should you go to get a hearing test? Find an audiologist in Toronto where you can get your hearing tested and get fitted for a hearing aid if the results show that you need one.
Audiologists are medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and manage hearing and balance conditions. They are the primary medical professionals who manage hearing loss and related issues.
What Is a Hearing Test Called?
There are some other names that a hearing test may be called, including an audiometry exam or audiometry test. A complete hearing test involves several distinct tests that we will discuss shortly, but it usually includes speech testing or a speech discrimination test (the ability to understand speech rather than the ability to hear pure tones).
What Happens During a Hearing Test?
Below is a detailed description of each stage of a hearing test.
#1 Needs Assessment and Case History
Every hearing test starts with a needs assessment and case history, whether this is the first time you’ve had your hearing checked or you already use hearing aids. During intake, the audiologist will identify your needs and desired outcomes to help them present realistic and appropriate treatment options.
#2 Otoscopy
Next, the audiologist will move on to testing your hearing with an otoscope. The audiologist will check for infections in the ear canal, irregularities with the eardrum, and the presence of wax buildup. Wax buildup is a common cause of hearing loss that can be treated.
#3 Tympanometry
Different tests check for different types of hearing loss. Tympanometry is an important part of determining what type of hearing loss may be present. During this test, the audiologist observes the eardrum’s response to a change in pressure in the ear canal caused by a low-pitched sound.
#4 Air Conduction Thresholds
With this test, the audiologist uses a series of beeps between a range of pitches, starting with 250 hz and going up to 8000 hz. This test is used to determine which, if any, tones you cannot hear, as well as identity the softest sounds within your hearing range.
#5 Bone Conduction Thresholds
A bone conduction threshold tests the inner ear directly, bypassing the outer and middle ears to isolate and identify hearing loss within the inner ear. The audiologist places a metal headband with a bone oscillator on the patient’s head, allowing them to record the inner ear’s response to beeps played at different pitches.
#6 Speech Testing
Speech testing helps determine how much a patient struggles with conversations in noisy and quiet environments. If one of the signs of hearing loss that you experience is that you struggle to follow conversations in loud environments such as work or a busy restaurant, you will need complete speech testing, not just speech testing in quiet. At Toronto Hearing, speech testing incorporates three tests:
- Speech Recognition Threshold: Recordings of two-syllable words are played to the patient, and the patient is asked to repeat them back, with the goal of finding the lowest volume at which the patient can recognize words.
- Word Recognition Score: In this test, the patient repeats the last word of a sentence played at a comfortable volume. These scores help an audiologist determine the benefits of hearing aids for the patient. For example, permanent damage to the auditory system cannot be reversed by a hearing aid.
- Speech-in-Noise Testing: One of the most common reasons patients have their hearing tested is that they find they struggle to hear in noisy environments. Speech-in-noise testing will help you choose your ideal hearing aids, as the test replicates the experience of trying to follow a conversation in a loud environment.
How to Read Hearing Test Results?
The results of a pure tone hearing test will be charted on an audiogram. The chart shows how loud a sound must be at various frequencies for the patient to hear that sound. An audiologist can look at your audiogram to determine the type and degree of hearing loss that you experience. In turn, this helps them find an appropriate hearing aid for you.
How Much Is a Hearing Test in Ontario?
The cost of a hearing test in Ontario varies between audiology clinics. Unfortunately, hearing tests are no longer covered by OHIP. However, you can get help buying a hearing aid through the Assistive Devices Program.
How Long Does a Hearing Test Take?
The entire process of a hearing test should only take around half an hour. The test is completely painless, and the results can help you find a hearing aid that will improve your quality of life and protect your hearing from degenerating further.
How Often Should You Have a Hearing Test If You Wear Hearing Aids?
If you wear a hearing aid to help with hearing loss, you should have your hearing tested regularly to make sure that your hearing aids are doing the best job that they can. You should have your hearing checked once a year if you already wear a hearing aid.
