Hearing Testing

Did you know that hearing testing should be a part of your overall health and wellness checkups? Unfortunately, hearing loss can put you at risk of losing more than your ability to hear. At Colorado Springs Family Practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the expert medical team provides hearing testing. To book an appointment, call the office or schedule your visit using the online booking tool today.

What is hearing testing?

Hearing is essential for children, adults, and the elderly. If hearing loss goes untreated, it can continue to worsen. 

Hearing testing offers early detection of hearing loss. During an in-office checkup at Colorado Springs Family Practice, your provider offers hearing testing, which is quick, painless, noninvasive, and produces immediate results.

What can I expect during hearing testing?

The most common test is called the pure-tone test. Your practitioner provides this screening for all ages. During the test, you can expect to put soft earplugs in your ears that have wires connected to an audiometer — an instrument that conducts the test. Or, you might wear a set of headphones over your ears.

You sit in a quiet, sound-protected room to make sure you don’t have other noises competing with the test, like the sound of an air conditioner or people talking around you. 

For infants, small children, or those who need to be tested while wearing hearing aids, the room might be equipped with speakers. 

During your test, you simply respond by raising your hand when you hear certain beeping sounds at different volumes and pitches. Because the test measures the softest of sounds at each frequency, you simply need to focus and listen carefully for your hearing to be measured effectively.

What happens if hearing loss is ignored?

Untreated hearing loss can affect your overall well-being. You run the risk of:

• Experiencing cognitive decline
• Feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger
• Reducing your ability to complete tasks at your job
• Having difficulty with concentration
• Increasing your likelihood of having physical injuries or falling

At Colorado Springs Family Practice, hearing tests are part of your routine exams so you can live your best life.

What results can I expect with hearing testing?

Your provider measures your hearing in decibels. The categories include:

• Normal: 0-25 dB HL
• Mild hearing loss: 26-40 dB HL
• Moderate hearing loss: 41-70 dB HL
• Severe hearing loss: 71-90 dB HL
• Serious hearing loss: higher than 91 dB HL

The decibels of hearing loss can be converted to a formula that creates a percentage to give you a clear understanding of your results. If you show signs of hearing loss, your provider at Colorado Springs Family Practice can recommend the best device and course of treatment for you.

To schedule a hearing testing appointment, call Colorado Springs Famiy Practice or book an appointment online for convenience.