Consultation with your Audiologist

Before administering the actual hearing test, your audiologist will first ask you questions revolving around your hearing to get a better understanding of your current hearing condition. They may even use a magnified ear light known as an otoscope to look into your ears. During this process, your audiologist examines your ear canals and ear drums to ensure that sound is able to travel efficiently through the middle and inner ear structures. You can see the inside of your ears as well when this video otoscope is projected on a screen. A record will be kept to keep track of any changes to your ear over time. 

Hearing Test Components 

After the consultation with your audiologist, you will be taken to a sound-treated booth that eliminates any noise to ensure accurate test results. You will be given headphones or soft earplugs to wear, which are connected to an audiometer to assess your hearing acuity. Hearing tests consist of a few components as explained below. 

Pure-tone Audiometry

Pure-tone audiometry focuses on pitch and volume. You will receive instructions through your headphones from your audiologist or hearing care consultant. The tones you hear may be very soft and barely audible to you, however, it is important to listen carefully and respond. This hearing test measures the softest sounds you can hear at each frequency. 

Speech Audiometry    

Speech audiometry is performed in a quiet environment with recorded or live speech. You will be evaluated on your ability to hear and understand the softest speech sounds by being asked to repeat what you heard. Speech sounds are sometimes used by audiologists and hearing care consultants in Singapore to determine the maximum level of comfort for listening and the most comfortable listening level.

Connected Speech Test

Contrary to being conducted in a quiet setting like the pure-tone and speech audiometry hearing tests, the connected speech test (CST) will assess your ability to hear in loud environments. You have to focus on what a speaker is saying while a soundtrack plays increasingly loud noises in the background. This mimics real life situations including having to hear and communicate in a crowded restaurant or mall. Apart from the CST, the Speech Perception in Noise test (SPIN), Speech in Noise test (SIN or Quick SIN) and Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) also centres on hearing in loud ambiences. 

Results and Follow-up Appointments 

Once you have completed your various hearing tests, your results will be presented in an audiogram that showcases the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches of frequencies. Your audiologist or hearing care consultant will explain these results to you and what they indicate for better understanding. Depending on your results, different hearing care solutions options may be addressed should there be signs of hearing loss. Your audiologist may also set up follow-up appointments if further discussions are necessary.

Hearing tests are painless and non-invasive, and one visit could save you years of frustration. We should never take our hearing for granted, but instead, put in the effort to maintain our hearing and check for potential hearing loss. 

At The Hearing Solution Group, we offer a suite of services and solutions including hearing tests that are tailored to your needs. Book a hearing test with us today and get a professional assessment of your hearing condition! You can also contact us at 63370090.   

Hearing loss robs more than just sounds, it also impacts self-worth and independence. Fortunately, as technology progresses, hearing loss can be addressed with the help of hearing aids in Singapore. Hearing aids are a major investment that can significantly enhance the overall quality of life. Therefore, it is important to understand the different elements of hearing aids and keep certain considerations in mind before getting one.

Hearing Test

The first step towards getting your very own hearing aids is to go for a hearing test at a hearing clinic. A hearing test will help you determine the cause of your hearing loss and select the right hearing aids for your condition. When it comes to hearing aids, there is no one size fits all solution. Each individual differs depending on their hearing condition. While one patient may benefit from a basic hearing aid, another might not find the same success with it. Moreover, a hearing test presents the opportunity for you to speak to your audiologist to learn more about your condition and evaluate the different solutions available. With a trained professional’s recommended opinion, you can be assured of a solution that is tailored to your needs, thus delivering effective results. 

Beyond Amplification

With the continuous advancement of technology, hearing aids today have evolved to become more sophisticated, encompassing a variety of features and functions. They can filter background noises, make sounds more understandable and even improve speech comprehension. The key functionality of hearing aids goes beyond amplifying sounds. Rather, it lies in the ability to amplify such sounds selectively. This means that they can be adjusted to focus only on the sounds you need. By going for a hearing test, your audiologist can help professionally adjust your hearing aids according to your needs and condition. Additional features such as bandwidth extension, automatic regulation of volume, noise control, and feedback suppression may also enhance the listening experience. As such, never go into buying your hearing aid with the idea that it only supports one function. Assess the different options carefully to make a worthwhile investment.

Realistic Expectations 

Often, patients may get a hearing aid and expect their hearing to be restored to how it was before hearing loss. This in turn leads to disappointment. Hearing with a hearing aid is very different from the way you used to hear. While hearing aids may possess a variety of features, they cannot reproduce natural hearing. What you can expect however, is the ability to hear in many situations that may have been challenging before. With hearing aids, your brain does not have to strain as much to comprehend sounds. Keeping expectations realistic is essential for a positive mindset and relationship with your hearing aid. On the other hand, frustrations from unrealistic expectations can build resentment, which negatively affects the hearing loss journey in the long run.

Consider Assistive Listening Devices 

Hearing aids can be further powered up with assistive listening devices (ALDs). These devices work in conjunction with hearing aids to remove distracting background noises and bring the appropriate sound closer to the user. A neck loop, wireless system, or room loop can transmit sounds directly to those wearing hearing aids, enhancing their sound quality and clarity, especially when listening from a distance. Should you wish to elevate your hearing to the next level even with a hearing aid, then ALDs might come in useful. 

Purchasing hearing aids is vastly different from any typical consumer product. Choosing a hearing aid requires the knowledge and skills of a professional with experience in this area. By keeping the above considerations in mind and consulting a good hearing solutions provider, finding the right hearing aid and improving your quality of life is made possible. 

The Hearing Solution Group is one of the largest hearing clinics in Singapore, providing excellent hearing solutions including hearing aids from 7 locations island wide. Contact us today for more information or call us at 63370090.