What happens at a hearing test appointment?

At WS Hearing, we understand that hearing loss can be a challenging and frustrating experience, and we are here to help. If you are experiencing hearing loss, you may benefit from a hearing test appointment. In this blog post, we will take you through what happens during a hearing test appointment in our Stratford-upon-Avon & Worcester clinics to put your mind at ease before your appointment.

Signs you may be losing your hearing

• You find hearing conversation in background noise/group situations is difficult, directly impacting your enjoyment of social situations.
• You often find yourself asking people to repeat themselves.
• You are unable to distinguish soft tones and high pitch sounds (whispers, children’s voices, birds singing).
• You find it hard to understand speech (sounds like “s” and “th” are hard to hear).
• You’re always being told you have the TV on too loud but you don’t realise.

What is a hearing test?

A hearing test, also known as an audiometry test, is a non-invasive test that measures your ability to hear sounds. During a hearing test, you will be asked to wear headphones and listen to sounds at various volumes and frequencies. The test will measure your ability to hear different tones and pitches, and it will determine if you have any hearing loss.

​​The 5 stages of our Hearing Tests in Stratford-upon-Avon & Worcester

Stage 1: Pure Tone Testing

During this stage, you will listen through headphones and wear a bone conduction vibrator attached to a headband. You will listen for the softest level of pure tones you can detect and push a button or raise your hand in response. This is to determine your hearing thresholds. If asymmetry, tinnitus, or dizziness are found, additional tests may be performed.

Stage 2: Speech Testing

Words will be presented through headphones, and you will have to repeat them. This test is performed in both quiet and noisy situations to assess the impact your hearing loss has on your understanding of speech sounds. This test can also help diagnose nerve damage or deterioration and indicate if hearing aids would benefit you.

Stage 3: Tympanometry

An ear tip is placed in your ear canal that is connected to a machine that briefly varies the pressure. The movement of the eardrum is measured, and any congestion behind the eardrum is identified. This test reveals abnormalities that could explain hearing loss or pressure in your ear.

Stage 4: Acoustic Reflex

When we hear a loud noise, our ear protects itself with a reflex that stiffens the eardrum. This test measures how the muscle contracts in response to a loud sound. You will hear beeps that get progressively louder, and the machine will automatically measure the response.

Stage 5: After the test

Your results will be viewed together with the audiologist. They will then discuss any recommendations for you to improve your hearing. If you are a suitable candidate for hearing aids, we will then move on to a hearing aid benefit scheme.

What is our premium care plan?

Our Premium Care Plans provide you with the highest standard of audiology and ongoing support like no company on the high street or internet.

We deliver you everything you need to benefit from your hearing aids, that would likely cost up to £510 per year if you purchased hearing aids from other providers.

To find out everything included in our hearing aid care plan, click here: https://www.wshearing.co.uk/pricing/ 

5 facts about WS Hearing

• Your appointment will take approximately 1.5 hours in total
• The actual hearing test will take around 60 minutes.
• Real ear measurements to account for individual ear canals
• We give bespoke hearing solutions tailored just for you.
• You’ll get a 100% refund for your hearing aids if we don’t meet your needs.

Tips for maintaining healthy hearing

There are several things you can do to maintain healthy hearing. First, you should protect your ears from loud noises by wearing earplugs or earmuffs when you are in a noisy environment. You should also avoid inserting anything into your ears, such as cotton swabs, as this can damage your eardrum.

If you have good hearing, it can be easy to overlook the importance of this vital sense. Whether it’s chatting with friends, enjoying music, or hearing warning signals, we often take our hearing for granted. It’s only when our hearing begins to deteriorate that we recognize how crucial it is in our daily lives, and how much we miss it when we no longer hear well. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late to address your hearing health – schedule a hearing test today at our Stratford-upon-Avon & Worcester hearing centres, to ensure you’re not missing out on the sounds that make life so enjoyable.