How to Interpret Your Hearing Test Results: Common Terms Explained
Understanding your hearing test results can seem daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology. At Modern Audiology in Lakewood, we believe that knowledge is power. Knowing what your results mean is crucial for making informed decisions about your hearing health. This guide will break down common terms you might encounter in your hearing test results and help you understand what they signify for your auditory health.
What to Expect During Your Hearing Test
Before diving into the terminology, it’s helpful to understand the hearing test process. During your appointment with our expert audiologists in Lakewood, you’ll undergo a series of assessments designed to evaluate various aspects of your hearing. These tests will provide a comprehensive view of your auditory health and help us recommend the best solutions, including hearing aids if needed. Scheduling a hearing test in Lakewood is a crucial step in understanding your hearing health.
Common Hearing Test Terms and Their Meanings
1. Pure Tone Audiometry
Definition: Pure tone audiometry measures your ability to hear different pitches or tones. The test involves listening to a series of beeps or tones at various frequencies and volumes.
What It Reveals: This test helps determine the quietest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. The results are plotted on an audiogram, which shows your hearing sensitivity across a range of pitches.
2. Audiogram
Definition: An audiogram is a graphical representation of your hearing test results. It displays your hearing thresholds at different frequencies.
What It Reveals: The audiogram helps visualize the degree and type of hearing loss. Lower numbers on the audiogram indicate better hearing sensitivity, while higher numbers suggest hearing loss.
3. Hearing Threshold
Definition: Hearing threshold is the softest level of sound you can detect at each frequency tested.
What It Reveals: Your hearing threshold levels are essential for diagnosing the severity of hearing loss. They help audiologists determine if you have mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss.
4. Speech Audiometry
Definition: Speech audiometry assesses how well you can understand speech. It typically involves listening to and repeating spoken words or sentences.
What It Reveals: This test evaluates your ability to understand speech in various environments. It helps determine how hearing loss affects your daily communication and whether you might benefit from hearing aids.
5. Tympanometry
Definition: Tympanometry measures the movement of the eardrum in response to changes in air pressure.
What It Reveals: This test assesses the function of the middle ear and helps diagnose issues like fluid buildup, eardrum perforation, or middle ear infections.
6. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
Definition: OAE testing measures sounds produced by the inner ear in response to auditory stimuli.
What It Reveals: OAEs provide information about the function of the cochlea. They help diagnose hearing loss, especially in newborns and young children, by detecting abnormalities in the inner ear.
Understanding Your Results
Once your hearing test results are compiled, your audiologist will review them with you. Here’s how to interpret the key aspects:
1. Audiogram Interpretation
Low Frequencies vs. High Frequencies: Your audiogram will show different levels of hearing sensitivity for low and high frequencies. Loss of high-frequency hearing is common with age, while low-frequency loss might indicate other types of hearing issues.
Hearing Loss Severity: The audiogram will indicate whether you have mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss. This classification helps guide treatment decisions.
2. Speech Understanding
Your ability to understand speech, especially in noisy environments, will be assessed. Poor speech understanding might suggest the need for advanced hearing aids or other interventions.
Next Steps: What to Do with Your Hearing Test Results
1. Consult with a Hearing Aid Expert
If your results indicate hearing loss, consulting with a hearing aid expert in Lakewood is essential. Our specialists at Modern Audiology can help you explore hearing aid options tailored to your needs.
2. Explore Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in various styles and technologies. Based on your hearing test results, we will recommend the best hearing aids in Lakewood to improve your hearing and quality of life.
3. Follow-Up Appointments
Regular follow-up appointments ensure that your hearing aids are functioning correctly and that your hearing health is monitored over time. Regular hearing tests in Lakewood are important for keeping track of any changes in your hearing.
Why You Should Get Regular Hearing Tests In Lakewood
Regular hearing tests are crucial for maintaining good auditory health. They help detect hearing loss early, allowing for timely intervention and better management of your hearing needs. At Modern Audiology in Lakewood, our audiologists are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support throughout your hearing health journey.
Conclusion
Interpreting the results of your hearing test in Lakewood can be complex, but understanding common terms and what they mean can empower you to make informed decisions about your hearing health. If you have any questions about your results or need guidance on hearing aids in Lakewood, contact Modern Audiology today. Our hearing aid experts are here to help you navigate your hearing health and find the best solutions for your needs.