When arriving at the hospital, you will be greeted by the friendly reception team before your Audiologist greets you and takes you to the dedicated audiology room.
Your Audiologist will take time to understand your symptoms and background, how your hearing loss is affecting you and what activities you are struggling with.
Depending on your reason for seeing the Audiologist, you’ll then go through a series of tests. Common tests that your Audiologist might carry out are:
- Otoscopy - This routine procedure is used to investigate the ear’s structures, particularly the middle ear and auditory canal using an otoscope.
- Tympanometry - This straightforward test aims to understand how sound is travelling through the middle ear.
- Audiometry - A diagnostic test used to determine the type and degree of hearing loss.
During an audiometry hearing test you’ll be offered a seat in a special sound proof booth and provided with headphones. The Audiologist will sit outside the booth in front of you, and operate a device called an audiometer. This device allows your Audiologist to send tones through to your headphones so they can to test the degree of hearing loss. Your Audiologist will also be able to speak to you through the headphones to give you instructions and ask you questions.
Hearing tests are completely painless and usually last around 20 minutes. If you are accompanying your child for their hearing test, you can rest assured that the Audiologists at Ross Hall Hospital will ensure your child remains comfortable throughout the whole appointment.
Once the tests have been completed, and the results are ready, a follow-up appointment will be arranged with your Audiologist or consultant to discuss the results and determine the best form of condition management or treatment for you.
The type of treatment you will receive will be tailored to you and explained thoroughly. If further diagnostic tests or treatments are required, these will also be explained fully during your consultation to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.