Hearing Tests: Importance, Procedures, and When to Get One

Hearing loss is a prevalent condition affecting 48 million people in the US, as the Hearing Health Foundation reports. It often starts with minor symptoms, which you may dismiss or ignore if they don't affect your life much. But over time, the signs worsen, affecting your ability to socialize.

Regular hearing tests will help you track your ability and get help whenever necessary. Here, we help you understand what the exams involve and their benefits. We'll also cover the procedures to expect and mention signs indicating you should get an exam.

The Importance of Audiological Evaluations

When you have impaired hearing, it can affect your safety and cognitive function. So, you should prioritize an auditory health check for the following reasons:

• It helps you identify the early signs of hearing loss
• You can slow down memory loss
• It protects your mental health
• It may improve your quality of life

Most auditory issues are manageable if you detect them early with regular hearing assessments. Early intervention may also help prevent memory loss since your brain won't have to work harder to interpret sounds.

Dealing with hearing loss without knowing the cause can be frustrating. You may stress over your situation and start avoiding hanging out with other residents in senior living communities in Brooklyn. In the long run, your quality of life will decline, increasing the risk of depression.

Luckily, you can protect your mental well-being by getting hearing tests. Once specialists determine what's wrong, they'll provide a detailed approach to dealing with your condition.

They'll help restore normalcy in your life, allowing you to participate in lively conversations again and enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or TV shows.

The Benefits of Hearings Tests When in Senior Living Brooklyn Communities

Caring for your hearing health lets you enjoy independent living in Brooklyn in many ways. For example, it allows you to communicate better with other residents and the staff. It also helps you make friends and nurture relationships with loved ones.

If you are in memory care or assisted living in Brooklyn, you could also benefit from auditory tests. These will help address concerns that may compromise your balance and ability to hear alarms and doorbells.

After treatment, you can join engaging community activities and not worry about feeling left out. You'll also be able to participate in physical exercises and fun outdoor tours.

Signs You Need Hearing Tests

Looking out for key indicators of hearing loss will help you know when to book hearing tests. Some common symptoms include:

• Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• Asking other senior living residents to repeat themselves
• A ringing sensation in your ears
• Struggling to hear when on the phone
• Other people telling you that you talk too loudly

When you experience such signs, you may think they are just a normal part of aging. Still, it's vital to see a specialist because you may have underlying issues requiring treatment to restore your hearing ability.

What to Expect During the Hearing Screening Process

A hearing test can feel intimidating, but the process is simple and pain-free. When you visit a specialist, they'll ask various questions about the following:

• Your hearing history
• Your lifestyle
• Signs of hearing loss

After the consultation, they'll use an otoscope to look for blockages in your ear canals. The specialist will also check for signs of an ear infection, swelling, or eardrum damage.

If you have an infection, they might recommend treating it before continuing the test. If everything looks fine, the next step will be conducting various tests to check how you hear different sounds.

Pure Tone Testing

During a pure tone test, you'll wear headphones and sit in a quiet room. A specialist will then play a series of beeping sounds for one ear at a time. Some beeps will be high-pitched or low-pitched, and others soft or loud.

Each time you hear a sound, you'll press a button or raise your hand to let the specialist know you heard it. The process helps the expert determine what tones and volumes you can hear best.

Speech Recognition Test

A speech recognition test enables an auditory specialist to determine if you struggle to hear certain sounds in speech, such as 's' or 'th'. They will play some sounds, words, or sentences through the headphones at different volumes and ask you to repeat them.

Tympanometry

A middle ear test helps determine how well your eardrum moves. During your exam, a specialist will place a small probe inside your ear and gently change the air pressure. You may feel a slight tickle or pressure, but it won't hurt.

The exam can detect issues like:

• A damaged or ruptured eardrum
• Blockage in the middle ear
• Fluid build-up behind your eardrum

What Follows After Hearing Tests?

Your specialist will explain their findings after you undergo all the hearing tests. If they detect hearing loss, they will talk to you about your treatment options. These may include:

• Getting hearing aids or assistive listening devices
• Treating an infection or ruptured eardrums
• Cochlear implants to treat severe hearing loss
• Further medical exams if they found something unusual

If your hearing is normal, the expert may recommend taking auditory tests after some time to detect changes.

Tips for Avoiding Hearing Loss as You Age

Besides getting regular exams, you can also take the following steps to protect your hearing:

• Use ear protection when in noisy environments
• Keep volume levels low when watching on your devices
• Keep your ears dry to avoid infection

You should also avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs and bobby pins into your ears because they can push wax and cause blockage.

Enjoy Your Life in Senior Living by Getting Hearing Tests

Visiting a specialist for hearing tests can help you live an active and engaged life. Look out for the signs of hearing loss and learn about the procedure to prepare yourself. Further, protect your ears as you age by avoiding loud noises, excess moisture, and inserting objects.

The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights offers easy living and personalized support for seniors. Our community is vibrant and perfect if you're seeking senior living options for long and short-term stays.

Contact us to book a tour of our community in Brooklyn, NY.