Importance of a Proper Hearing Test

             In the run of a typical work week I hear multiple people tell me that they tried hearing aids (HAs) in the past, but have struggled a great deal with them. Sometimes people will say they found them uncomfortable, they made their ears itch, they were too loud, they felt they could hear better without them, or the most common report, they made background noise too loud. It can certainly be difficult to reach the success you want from HAs; but if we pay attention to all the little details and adjust the HAs properly, you stand a much better chance of success. Interestingly, one of the most important factors in a successful HA fitting, the hearing test, is commonly overlooked when purchasing HAs. This article will discuss some of the things to consider during your hearing test so that you give yourself the best chance of success when using HAs.

            When I began thinking about this topic, it kind of surprised me how often the quality of a hearing test is forgotten in the process of using HAs. All HAs purchased today are programmed using computers, and how they’re programmed is based 100% on information from the hearing test. So, if the hearing test isn’t accurately performed, how are the HAs supposed to work? It seems simple, and it really is, but most people don’t think about this when buying HAs. Furthermore, as you age or are exposed to more noise (either through work or recreation), your hearing loss tends to worsen, so we need to recheck your hearing at least once every two years.

Hearing tests would ideally be performed only by audiologists, as they have the highest level of training for evaluating hearing, and can identify/assess medical problems with the ear other than hearing loss. There can sometimes be wait lists to see audiologists in private practice or the hospital, so it’s best to contact them to schedule an appointment. Your family doctor has to make the referral to a hospital audiology department, but you do not need a doctor’s referral to see an audiologist in private practice, you can just contact them directly. Most insurance companies and many other organizations (e.g. Worksafe NB, Health Services, Veterans Affairs Canada) require prescriptions and hearing tests performed by audiologists, so keep those details in mind when looking into the possibility of buying HAs. You may also have your hearing tested by a hearing instrument practitioner; they just don’t receive the medical management training instilled in all audiologists and are unable to write prescriptions for hearing aids.

It is common knowledge that if you wear glasses the lens prescription is periodically changed to accommodate a change in sight; when you have a hearing loss, you also need to have your ears properly tested and the HAs adjusted every so often. Don’t despair though, this does not mean you need to buy new HAs, in most cases they can be “tuned up” to sound the way they should. HAs are expensive devices, but they are very adjustable and can be reprogrammed to fit your new level of hearing loss in the majority of cases. Also, there is very rarely a charge for this if you go back to the location where you bought your hearing aids in the first place. Here’s one thing to keep in mind, hearing aids have an average lifespan of 5-7 years, so you will likely need to have them adjusted several times before they need to be replaced. This is one of the reasons I wrote in previous articles to make sure you trust and are comfortable with the person you buy your hearing aids from; you’ll be seeing them many times while you own your HAs.

Hearing tests should be performed in a sound proof booth by a qualified professional whenever possible. There are times when people are unable to come into the office or go to the hospital for a proper test because of sickness, injury, or lack of mobility; but if you can, it’s always better to be tested in a soundproof booth. Now, here’s why. The main problem with having hearing tests done in your kitchen or living room is that there are usually interfering noises, even if you don’t notice they’re there. Things like the fridge, traffic or wind outside, even distractions in the house can all affect the quality of your test. In most cases, this means the lower pitch sounds can’t be tested with 100% accuracy, making the HAs sound too loud and giving too much background noise when they’re placed in your ears. I’ve personally redone several dozen tests on people who have been tested in their living room by someone who came to their front door, and very rarely are the results the same. If your eyes weren’t tested properly and the prescription wasn’t accurate, then your glasses won’t make things look clear; this is also very true with your HAs. Keep this in mind when purchasing HAs, the sound quality you get starts from Day 1 with the hearing test, it should be done by a qualified hearing professional in a proper environment (preferably an audiologist in a soundproof booth). You owe it to yourself to get the best sound possible for the money you’re paying. One additional note, if you wish to have your hearing tested by an audiologist (the recognized hearing health care specialists in Canada), then you have every right to request to see their certification with either the New Brunswick or Canadian Audiology Associations.

It doesn’t typically cost a great amount for a hearing test. Most audiologists charge $40-$75 for a complete evaluation that lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and this usually includes the reprogramming of your HAs once the test is complete. These tests can also be performed at the audiology department in many hospitals (Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Sussex, Woodstock, and Bathurst among others have the proper testing facilities). As previously mentioned, hospital hearing tests are covered under Medicare but they typically have a long wait list, so book in advance if you take that route. If at all possible, see an audiologist to have a complete hearing evaluation performed in a soundproof booth before you buy hearing aids. You will get more accurate results because they have all the proper equipment at their disposal, meaning that your HAs should provide better sound when it’s all said and done. Having your hearing tested in your home should be done only as a last resort; the convenience factor for that one hour is not worth the long term frustrations and anger of having spent thousands of dollars on HAs that don’t sound the way they should. There are legitimate reasons why HAs sometimes do not work, so let’s make sure an inaccurate hearing test isn’t one of them.