What to Expect at a Hearing Test

Hearing loss is usually a gradual process, and it can be hard to recognize the signs and symptoms of hearing loss. In fact, your loved ones will probably notice your hearing loss before you do. If your family has been complaining that you can’t hear as well as you used to, it’s time to schedule a hearing exam with Hearing Centers of Indiana in Carmel or Pendleton. The common signs of hearing loss include:

  • Trouble following conversations, and frequently asking your friends to repeat themselves.
  • Struggling to follow conversations in places with a lot of background noise, like a crowded restaurant or cafe.
  • Avoiding answering the phone, because it’s increasingly difficult to hear the person on the other end.
  • Failing to hear the alarm clock or stove timer.
  • Turning up the volume on the TV so high that others in the room complain it’s too loud.
  • Struggling with tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears that won’t go away.
  • Difficulty maintaining a healthy social life, and trying to read lips to make out what’s been said.

If you’re experiencing two or more of these signs of hearing loss, schedule a hearing exam in one of our five convenient locations:  Salem, IN, Pendleton, IN, Bedford, IN, Carmel, IN.

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woman taking a hearing evaluation

Degrees of Hearing Loss

We’ll start your hearing test by asking you a few questions about your hearing and health history to determine the cause of your hearing loss. We’ll also perform a short visual exam to check your ears for any signs of injury or illness that could be affecting your hearing. Even a buildup of earwax can cause hearing loss, so we’ll make sure you don’t have an earwax obstruction that’s affecting your hearing.

A hearing test is designed to test your ability to hear loud and soft sounds at both high and low pitches. At Hearing Centers of Indiana, our hearing aid specialists will test your hearing range, and discover your hearing threshold. You’ll listen to a series of sounds at various frequencies and volumes, and all you’ll have to do is indicate whether you’ve heard the sound.

Reviewing the Audiogram

The results of your test will be printed on an audiogram, and you’ll be able to see exactly which sounds you’re missing. Using both frequencies (measured in Hertz) and volume (measured in decibels), you’ll get a clear picture of your unique hearing loss. If you have hearing loss of greater than 25 decibels, you will need a hearing aid to help you hear and maintain your quality of life. The test will also reveal your degree of hearing loss.

Following the test, your hearing aid specialist will walk you through treatment options, and find the best hearing device for your lifestyle and hearing needs.

girl trying to hear

Degrees of Hearing Loss

If you have a hearing loss of between 26 – 40 decibels, you have mild hearing loss. You’ll be able to hear many of the sounds around you, but struggle to hear quiet conversations, or follow conversations in a noisy environment.

Are Hearing Tests Covered by Insurance?

Health insurance coverage changes from state to state, and each provider and insurance plan have distinct policies. At Hearing Centers of Indiana, we will gladly get in touch with your insurance provider to find out if your hearing exam or hearing devices are covered by your insurance plan. Medicaid covers hearing tests for anyone under 21, and Medicare may cover your hearing test if you provide us with a referral from your primary care physician.
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