What to Expect at a Hearing Test - Rancho Mirage

Acknowledging the changes you are experiencing with your hearing and scheduling an appointment for a hearing test in Rancho Mirage are major steps in prioritizing your hearing health! Hearing tests identify your specific hearing needs which is essential for effective treatment. You may be feeling overwhelmed or have a few questions about your upcoming appointment which is completely normal. Our Rancho Mirage hearing tests involve a non-invasive, pain-free, and relatively straightforward process that measures your hearing capacity in both ears. This will diagnose hearing loss by identifying the specific type of hearing loss you are navigating. Knowing what you can expect during your appointment can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your hearing test!

Intake

Hearing evaluations in Rancho Mirage begin like many medical appointments do and that is by completing an intake process. This includes discussing your hearing health-related concerns, symptoms you have been experiencing, medical history, and lifestyle factors and behaviors - profession, social activities, exercise, etc. You can expect questions about genetic history, any other conditions you may experience, any medications you take. This information is helpful because it could uncover potential factors that are contributing to hearing loss symptoms.

Ear Exam

After providing and discussing the intake information, a hearing healthcare specialist (usually an audiologist) will physically inspect your ears. Using an otoscope - a medical instrument, with a flashlight, designed to examine the ears - the audiologist will take a close look at your ears. This includes the outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum which are integral components of the auditory system that help absorb and process sound. This process allows the audiologist to check for anything that could be contributing to the obstruction of sound: bone growths, earwax accumulation, infections, injuries, etc. These factors could be preventing sound from being fully absorbed and processed.

Hearing Test

Now onto the hearing test! An audiologist will guide you through the hearing test which is facilitated with our latest technology. You will be in a quiet space, one without the distraction(s) of background noise, wearing headphones that are connected to an audiometer. This machine plays sounds at different frequencies and pitches which you will be guided through by the audiologist. You will indicate what you can hear by responding verbally or by pressing a button. This process marks the softest sounds you can hear in each ear at various pitches within the range of human hearing.

Reviewing Results

Your Rancho Mirage hearing test results are plotted on an audiogram. This is a chart that visually depicts your hearing capacity in both ears. You will be able to see the intensities and pitches you can hear, have a harder time perceiving, and cannot hear. Using this information as well as your lifestyle preferences, recommendations for treatment options will be made to best meet your hearing needs in the context of your daily life. 

Fortunately, there are effective ways to treat hearing loss that not only enhance hearing but also communication. The most common treatment is hearing aids, a professionally fitted electronic devices. Hearing aids are designed to amplify and process sound which provides the auditory system with significant support. This increases the capacity to perceive and process sound, maximizing a person’s hearing ability. 

There is a wide range of available hearing aid options. This includes a variety of styles, features, technologies, and even colors. Your audiologist will help you navigate your options so that you can make the most informed decision. 

Our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to provide you with individualized care that is grounded in improving your hearing health. Your consultation appointment is a great opportunity to not only establish your hearing needs but to also discuss any questions and concerns you have. We are here to help make this important transition as seamless as possible for you. So we encourage you to bring your questions and a loved one to your appointment!