Hearing loss often happens gradually that many people don’t realize what they’re missing until simple conversations become challenging. Small changes – turning the TV volume higher, asking people to repeat themselves or struggling in noisy environments – can be early warning signs that are easy to dismiss. Regular hearing tests are a simple yet vital step in protecting your hearing health, much like eye exams or dental check-ups. Our team of hearing instrument specialists at Alto Hearing provides thorough assessments that can identify hearing changes early, when they’re easiest to address.
We believe in making hearing care comfortable, straightforward and personalized to your unique needs. Whether you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or simply want to establish a baseline for future comparison, our testing services help ensure you don’t miss out on your favourite sounds and conversations.
Who Needs a Hearing Test?
You may be surprised to learn that many people wait seven to 10 years before seeking help for their hearing difficulties. During this time, the brain slowly adjusts to reduced hearing, making it harder to adapt to hearing aids later. Testing your hearing regularly helps catch these changes before they progress further, giving you the best chance for the right treatment.
Anyone who notices changes in their hearing, struggles to follow conversations or experiences ringing in their ears should consider a hearing test. Regular testing is also important for those exposed to loud environments, as well as older adults, since hearing can change gradually over time. Catching issues early makes it easier to find the right solutions and maintain clear hearing.
What Happens During a Hearing Test?
During a hearing test, your hearing instrument specialist will begin by asking about your hearing concerns, lifestyle and medical history to get a better understanding of any potential issues. Next, we’ll examine your ears to check for blockages, infections or other conditions that might affect your hearing. This initial assessment helps determine the best approach for testing and ensures accurate results.
The main part of the test typically involves a series of assessments to measure how well you hear different sounds and speech. You’ll listen to tones at various pitches and volumes through headphones and indicate when you hear them. Speech testing may also be included to evaluate how well you understand words at different levels. Once the testing is complete, your hearing instrument specialist will explain the results and discuss any next steps based on your hearing needs.
Understanding Your Results
After your hearing test, your hearing instrument specialist will review your results with you in a clear, straightforward way. We’ll explain what the test measured, how well you hear different sounds and whether any hearing loss is present. If hearing aids are recommended, we’ll discuss options that match your needs and lifestyle. This conversation is an opportunity to ask questions and understand what comes next in improving your hearing.
Industrial Hearing Screenings
Hearing damage is a real and unfortunate effect of long-term exposure to loud noise. Noise is a hazard of industrial workers and workers of any occupation who are repeatedly exposed to loud noise.
Hearing damage from noise is fully preventable when the right precautions are taken from the start. Regular hearing tests to evaluate any early signs of hearing loss, as well as everyday preventative measures such as the use of ear plugs go a long way toward prevention of permanent hearing loss.
Industrial Hearing Test Requirements
Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have enacted requirements and procedures for hearing conservation in an effort to standardize hearing safety practices and reduce the incidence of preventable hearing damage. Some states also have their own guidelines, as well as the Department of Defense.
In most cases, OSHA requires that employees who are exposed to a time weighted average (TWA) of 85 dB be part of a hearing conservation program which includes hearing testing and employee training. Industrial manufacturers are also required to report evaluation results. Official hearing conservation standards are listed in OSHA CFR 29 1910.95 & MSHA Part 62.
Education and Referrals
OHC Technicians are trained to detect possible indications of early hearing loss as well as provide training for employees. If a possible hearing problem is detected, the technician will refer the employee for further tests by a hearing specialist.
Basic education and training for employees may include how to properly fit and wear hearing protection devices. Some employees may require more sophisticated and customized hearing protection. Environmental modifications on the part of the employer may also be in order.
OHC technicians are not qualified to independently evaluate hearing conservation program effectiveness or conduct noise surveys and analyses, so a more qualified professional will need to be hired for the purpose of designing a program that will fit company needs.
Hearing evaluations are an important part of keeping industrial working environments safe for employees. Each company will need to find industrial hearing testing solutions that work for them.
Evaluations for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Auditory processing disorder can look different in each individual. Symptoms of the disorder are almost always worsened by noisy or highly stimulating environments.
Here are some possible symptoms of APD:
- Difficulty listening in background noise
- Difficulty following complex oral instructions
- Varied responses to auditory stimuli
- Easily distracted, impulsive and frustrated when too much noise is present
- Short auditory attention span; easily tired or bored during required listening activities
- Appearance of day dreaming or not listening
- Verbal requests are often met with “huh,” even after several repetitions
- Difficulty with reading and spelling
Requirements for auditory processing evaluation
A hearing test should be completed prior to an auditory processing evaluation. Because the evaluation requires feedback from the person being evaluated, their cognitive skills should be average and their language skills should be normal or only mildly delayed. Attention deficit disorder should also be ruled out.
Auditory processing disorder can be difficult to live with, both for the person with the disorder and the people in their lives. An auditory processing evaluation will not solve the problem, but it can give insight as to why the individual may be having problems at school, home or work. The evaluation can provide guidance for the professionals to help develop strategies and recommendations to lessen the impact of the disorder and help the individual succeed at school, at work and in other situations.
