What to expect at a hearing test
A hearing test is simple, non-invasive and free in most Canadian communities
If it’s harder to follow conversations than it used to be — or if you have a persistent ringing sound in your ears, or any other change in your hearing — it’s time to get your ears tested.
And it’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Hearing loss is a natural product of aging, just like getting eyeglasses when your sight begins to shift. And treating hearing loss with an assistive device can drastically improve your quality of life.
Still, many people worry about what to expect from a hearing test. The good news: hearing tests are simple, non-invasive and free in most Canadian communities.
“I promise you, it doesn’t hurt, and you’ll walk away with a true understanding about your hearing,” said Jillian Price, chief audiologist at Hearinglife Canada, a national network of hearing clinics.
“You should love your ears, and when you love something, you take care of it. (Hearing tests) should be on your wellness checklist, along with everything else that we take care of as we get older.”
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect.
Book your appointment
This is a simple process you can complete online or over the phone. There’s no need for a physician’s referral, and there is no cost for hearing tests at Hearinglife clinics.
Visit hearinglife.ca and answer a few easy questions. In a few clicks (and less than two minutes) you’ll have an appointment in place at your local clinic.
If you prefer to complete this process over the phone, make a toll-free call from anywhere in Canada to 1-855-785-3616.
Initial consultation with a hearing health professional
When you arrive at your local clinic, a hearing health professional will guide you through a relaxed, easy-to-answer questionnaire.
They’ll ask if you have any concerns about your hearing and about relevant information from your medical history and lifestyle, which may provide insight into the best treatment options.
This part of the process takes about 20 minutes.
“We are always aware that everyone who walks through the door is unique,” said Price, who oversees more than 250 Hearinglife clinics from coast-to-coast.
“We’re going to take the time to get to know you, truly understand what’s going on and treat you as the unique individual that you are.”
Physical ear exam
Next, a hearing health professional will check for earwax or any foreign objects that might be lodged in the ear canal. They’ll also check for damage to your eardrums, infections and any other abnormalities that may contribute to your hearing health.
This is a non-invasive procedure using an otoscope — a magnified ear-light — and it’s completely painless. The entire physical exam takes about five minutes.
“If you’ve ever gone to the doctor, we use the same equipment,” said Price. “We’re not doing anything that would be alarming, and it does not cause any physical pain.”
Comprehensive hearing assessment
The next step is to enter a soundproof room, where you’ll wear a pair of ear tips that block out all sounds except the ones you’re intended to hear. You’ll be asked to listen and respond to a series of tones, speech sounds and voices by raising your hand or pushing a button.
A hearing professional will record your responses and note the volume of the sound at each frequency. They’ll input this information into an audiogram — a graph that shows the type, degree and configuration of any hearing loss they identify during the test.
Then, they’ll review the results with you and discuss next steps. This portion of the process takes about 20 minutes.
“It won’t be rushed,” said Price. “We’re going to take the time to ask the questions, understand who you are as a unique individual, and be there to answer any questions that you have.”
Same-day results
After the sound booth test, you’ll sit with a certified hearing health-care professional for a counselling session based on your results.
If you don’t have any hearing loss, that’s great!
They’ll provide a few practical steps and constructive habits to protect your hearing over time.
If hearing loss is detected, your hearing health-care provider can provide guidance about the best hearing aid solution. But there’s no obligation or pressure to buy.
You’re in the driver’s seat, and you’ll ultimately decide how to proceed. This counselling session takes about 15 minutes.
“It’s really important for us to make sure our clients know that this is a partnership, and a relationship. They are in control,” said Price.
“What they want and what they tell us, we are going to listen. We’re there to help and guide. That’s what we’re trying to do when you come through our doors.”
To book your free hearing test, visit hearinglife.ca or call 1-855-785-3616.