It's easy to take for granted the ability to hear when it's at it's full capacity. However, when there are problems with this particular sense, it can lead to major difficulties in normal daily life. Communication can become more difficult as can simply comprehending what is happening in the surroundings. Many of us typically associate such issues with those who are aging but problems of this type can occur at any age and should be addressed when they are noticed. When signs of problems are seen, it is time to have a hearing evaluation to start the process of correcting them.
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.
Among these signs are changes in behavior such as avoiding social gatherings. If it's getting difficult to hear and thus communicate, one is likely to feel less comfortable in such situations and it is natural to try to steer clear of them. Another recognizable sign is that the volume of the TV or radio seems abnormally loud to others. The person with the problem is likely to not notice this themselves but others will pick up on it. Also, people may regularly complain that the person is not listening to them.
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.
The audiologist may also perform a test to evaluate the patient's ability to hear and understand words above other noises. First the patient will need to repeat sentences that are played with no competing noise, then they will have to do the same with noise being directed at them from from varying angles and different volumes.
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.
Among these signs are changes in behavior such as avoiding social gatherings. If it's getting difficult to hear and thus communicate, one is likely to feel less comfortable in such situations and it is natural to try to steer clear of them. Another recognizable sign is that the volume of the TV or radio seems abnormally loud to others. The person with the problem is likely to not notice this themselves but others will pick up on it. Also, people may regularly complain that the person is not listening to them.
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.
The audiologist may also perform a test to evaluate the patient's ability to hear and understand words above other noises. First the patient will need to repeat sentences that are played with no competing noise, then they will have to do the same with noise being directed at them from from varying angles and different volumes.
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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