Has keeping up with conversations become more challenging lately? Maybe you’ve noticed yourself asking people to repeat things or turning up the volume on your TV more than before. You’re not alone – these are common signs that it might be time to check your hearing. Many people notice these small changes gradually, often wondering if others are just speaking more softly or mumbling. Hearing loss can sneak up on anyone, and noticing these signs is the first step to doing something about it.
At NJ Eye and Ear, our audiologists help people just like you understand their hearing better through simple, painless testing. We’ll walk you through every step of your hearing evaluation, help you understand what sounds you might be missing and show you how small changes can make a big difference in your daily life.
Who Needs a Hearing Test?
Hearing loss can develop at any age, and getting a hearing test can help catch changes early. Adults over 50 should have their hearing checked regularly, even if they haven’t noticed any issues, since age-related hearing loss is common. Younger adults who work in loud environments or listen to music at high volumes may also benefit from routine testing. If you struggle to hear conversations in noisy places, frequently turn up the TV or feel like people mumble, a hearing test can help determine if there’s a problem.
You may also notice certain sounds, like birds chirping or doorbells ringing, seem quieter than before. Some people experience ear fullness or have trouble understanding speech over the phone. Since hearing loss often happens gradually, it can be easy to overlook the early signs until they start affecting daily life. A hearing test can identify any changes and help you find the right solutions to hear more clearly in the situations that matter most.
What Are the Most Common Hearing Tests?
During a hearing test, we evaluate how well you hear different sounds and speech at various volumes and pitches. You’ll wear headphones and respond to tones, words or speech played through the equipment.
- Pure-tone audiometry: You’ll listen to beeps at different pitches and volumes through headphones and indicate when you hear them. This helps measure the softest sounds you can detect at various frequencies.
- Speech audiometry: This test assesses how clearly you understand spoken words. You’ll repeat words played at different volumes to help determine how well you hear speech in quiet and noisy settings.
- Tympanometry: A small probe gently changes air pressure in your ear to test how well your eardrum moves. This can detect fluid buildup, blockages or other issues affecting hearing.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing: A tiny microphone in your ear measures the sound your inner ear produces in response to a stimulus. This helps check how well the inner ear is functioning.
Together, these tests provide a complete picture of your hearing and help us find the right solutions for your needs.
Discussing Hearing Loss Treatment Options
After your hearing test, we’ll go over the results with you in detail, explaining how well you hear different sounds and speech. If we find hearing loss, we’ll discuss what it means for your daily life and whether hearing aids could help. We’ll talk about the styles and features that fit your needs, considering factors like comfort, background noise and where you spend most of your time. Our goal is to make sure you have a clear understanding of your hearing and the best options available to improve it.