When people have trouble with their hearing, they will often get an audiology exam. This exam is meant to determine the extent of the hearing loss and decide on a course of action. In most cases, there are five parts to such an exam.
Patient History
The first thing a patient can expect during an audiology exam is going through their history. The
audiologist is going to want a case history so he can better assess the patient. He will want to know about the patient and about the family of the patient. Therefore, it is a good idea for the patient to bring all relevant information with him to the exam.
Visual Ear Exam
After the case history, the doctor will perform a visual exam. He will examine the outer and inner ear canal of the patient. During this process, he will use an otoscope. He will look to see if there is anything out of the ordinary with the ear.
Hearing Test
Next, the doctor will use a hearing screen to
test for hearing loss. During the hearing screen, the patient will be exposed to different levels of sound to see how well he hears those sounds.
Speech Understanding
Next, the doctor will evaluate speech understanding. He will use different tests to do this. This process can take some time, depending on how thorough the doctor is.
Treatment Plan
At the conclusion of the tests, the doctor will then discuss the process with the patient. He will explain his findings and he and the patient will explore the options and the course of action.
At this time, the patient can ask questions. Patients need to be involved with their treatment, so it is a good idea to ask any questions that arise.
An
audiology exam is very helpful for those who are experiencing hearing problems. With the help of the exam, people can understand the direction they should take in regards to their hearing.