Hearing tests can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t know anyone that’s been to one because you can’t ask them questions about what it was like. In this article, we’re going to answer a couple of the most frequently asked questions regarding hearing tests so that you have a better idea of what it will be like.

1. What’s a hearing test for exactly?

In most cases, a hearing test is carried out to measure your level of hearing loss. A hearing test could reveal several things such as any ear wax blockages that you might be experiencing and also what could be causing your hearing loss.

2. What’s involved in a hearing test?

There are several stages of a hearing test.

To start, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination of your ear. This is to ensure that there is no physical damage that could be causing your hearing loss and also so that your doctor can remove any blockages before examining deeper into your ear.

Next, your doctor will let you know about the physical examination and tell you what’s next. If your hearing loss is caused by something like impacted earwax then it can be solved by simply cleaning the blockage. Alternatively, you might be asked to take a series of other tests to see how much your hearing loss has progressed.

3. Does a hearing test hurt?

Hearing tests do not hurt. Although the physical examination may include blowing a puff of air into your ear or devices that go into your ear, the tests do not hurt. However, if you have an infected ear, then the physical examination may cause a bit of discomfort or even pain depending on the type of infection.

4. How long does a hearing test take?

A hearing test can be anywhere between 15 minutes to over an hour. It depends on what’s needed during the test. For instance, if the physical examination reveals nothing and your audiologist has diagnosed that you have hearing loss, then the tests can take a long time especially if the audiologist is thorough at determining your level of hearing loss. However, if it’s just a minor problem such as an earwax blockage then it can be solved very quickly.

5. Will I get hearing aids at the end?

No. Hearing aids come after the initial test and examination and are only needed if the audiologist recommends them. You can, however, request to have hearing aids if you feel that you need them, but your audiologist will advise you further on this process.

Hearing tests aren’t as daunting as people make them out to be. In fact, audiologists are incredibly skilled at what they do and they understand the emotional impact that could come with examining your hearing. This is why they’re trained to handle any concerns or worries that you may have, so rest assured that your audiologist will do everything in their power to make you comfortable during the test.