The ability to hear is an important part of being able to function fully and to enjoy everyday life. Effective communication is much easier when one is able to take in information completely and is hampered when the words of others are unclear and difficult to understand. As we age it is not at all uncommon to experience deterioration is our ability to hear clearly but it is possible for people of any age to have difficulty in this regard. For this reason, when one begins to experience any signs of such problems it is a good idea to consider having a hearing evaluation.
It is not always easy to notice signs of hearing loss. As the changes can be very gradual at times, the person who is experiencing them may not even notice. Oftentimes it is easier for those around them to recognize some of the signs.
The signs often manifest in changes in behavior. Classic signs are when the TV or radio is at an unusually high volume compared to what used to be used in the past. This can occur gradually over time and be nearly undetectable to the individual having the difficulty but others may notice more easily. Frequent complaints of the person not listening to what is being said could indicate an issue as well. Another sign to watch for decreased attendance at social events, which could indicate that they are trying to avoid situations in which they need to be able to hear well to communicate effectively.
If one or more of these or other signs leads one to suspect that there is a significant problem that needs to be addressed, then help can be sought. Going to the doctor may result in a referral to an audiologist in order to get a hearing evaluation.
Different methods are available for assessing the problems. With an audiometer test, the patient is in a soundproof booth and wears headphones that are connected to the audiometer itself. Tones of different frequencies and volumes are produced and the patient must signal when and where they hear the tones. The audiologist plots the results on an audiogram, a chart which will show the volumes and frequencies at which the difficulties are most pronounced.
Another test is to use a tuning fork. The vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the patient's forehead and they identify whether the sound is louder in either ear or equal in both ears. If it appears to be louder in one ear then this can help to determine the type of hearing loss that is occurring.
A third type is one to determine the ability to hear in a noisy environment. The person being tested is asked to repeat sentences, first without extra noise then with competing noise being introduced at different angles. The test determines how loudly the sentences must be played so that they can be heard above the other noise.
Once the hearing evaluation is complete, the appropriate course of action can be determined based on the findings of the exam. Thus the testing and assessment is the first, essential step in determining what the problem is and how it can be corrected so that the person with the hearing loss can lead a normal life.
It is not always easy to notice signs of hearing loss. As the changes can be very gradual at times, the person who is experiencing them may not even notice. Oftentimes it is easier for those around them to recognize some of the signs.
The signs often manifest in changes in behavior. Classic signs are when the TV or radio is at an unusually high volume compared to what used to be used in the past. This can occur gradually over time and be nearly undetectable to the individual having the difficulty but others may notice more easily. Frequent complaints of the person not listening to what is being said could indicate an issue as well. Another sign to watch for decreased attendance at social events, which could indicate that they are trying to avoid situations in which they need to be able to hear well to communicate effectively.
If one or more of these or other signs leads one to suspect that there is a significant problem that needs to be addressed, then help can be sought. Going to the doctor may result in a referral to an audiologist in order to get a hearing evaluation.
Different methods are available for assessing the problems. With an audiometer test, the patient is in a soundproof booth and wears headphones that are connected to the audiometer itself. Tones of different frequencies and volumes are produced and the patient must signal when and where they hear the tones. The audiologist plots the results on an audiogram, a chart which will show the volumes and frequencies at which the difficulties are most pronounced.
Another test is to use a tuning fork. The vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the patient's forehead and they identify whether the sound is louder in either ear or equal in both ears. If it appears to be louder in one ear then this can help to determine the type of hearing loss that is occurring.
A third type is one to determine the ability to hear in a noisy environment. The person being tested is asked to repeat sentences, first without extra noise then with competing noise being introduced at different angles. The test determines how loudly the sentences must be played so that they can be heard above the other noise.
Once the hearing evaluation is complete, the appropriate course of action can be determined based on the findings of the exam. Thus the testing and assessment is the first, essential step in determining what the problem is and how it can be corrected so that the person with the hearing loss can lead a normal life.
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