What to Expect With a Hearing Test

Many clients that we see here at Melody Hearing Clinic have never had a hearing test and are unsure of what to expect.  Our practitioners at Melody understand that this is a new experience for many of our clients. We always take the time to walk you through the process, making your comfort a priority. We’ve included a step-by-step guide on what you can expect during your hearing test:

When you arrive for a hearing test you will be asked to complete a questionnaire.  This helps us to identify and document any concerns.

The practitioner will have a look in your ears to examine your ear canal and eardrum.

A measurement of the middle ear is then taken.  A small probe will be placed at the outside of your ear canal. You will hear some buzzing, some beeps, and you may feel a slight change in pressure within the ear.

Next we will seat you in the sound booth. There is a window in which you will be able to see your practitioner throughout the test. They will be able to hear you at all times, so if you have any questions during the test, ask away!  The practitioner will place inserts or headphones and a bone conductor headset for you to listen to different tones. The tones are presented in various pitches and volumes. You will have a response button and will be instructed to push the button each and every time you hear a tone regardless of how loud or quiet it is.

Depending on your test results speech testing may also be completed. This is a two part test, first you will be asked to repeat two-syllable words as the volume is lowered to the quietest level you can identify words correctly. The second part of the test will be to repeat one syllable words at a volume that is comfortable for you.

Once the test is completed an overview of the results will be explained to you. If there is a hearing loss present, we will discuss the type and severity of the hearing loss, followed by any pertinent recommendations.

Undetected and untreated hearing loss can have significant effects on a person’s quality of life. Having a baseline hearing test followed by annual testing is an important measure in ensuring your hearing health is looked after. Our staff is are here to put you at ease and address any concerns you may have. Call today to book a hearing test!

How Can I Hide My Hearing Loss?

Many people believe they are hiding their hearing loss when they don’t wear hearing aids.  Actually, hearing loss is much more noticeable without the use of hearing aids because speech isn’t heard clearly and things need to be repeated and explained.  A misinterpreted word can change the meaning and context of what is being said and can cause some embarrassing moments.  The volume level becomes harder to recognize.  Some over compensate by speaking louder than necessary while others speak so softly that no one can hear them.  Watching t.v. is uncomfortable when the volume is too loud or too quiet.

If you want to hide your hearing loss invest in some hearing aids.  Hearing aids have become quite discreet and often others aren’t aware you are even wearing them.  You won’t require as much volume for speech to be clearer.  You won’t need to ask others to repeat themselves. You may find improved memory and comprehension as well as better balance.

Although many want to hide their hearing loss there are some advantages when others are aware of your hearing loss.  They may speak a little louder, enunciate a little better and talk a little slower to help you hear well.

Remember, untreated hearing loss is not hidden.

6 Benefits of Using Digital Hearing Aids

With great advancement in technology, hearing aids have evolved from the analog ones to the high-end digital devices. Apart from adding to one’s style and comfort, the digital hearing aids provide superior features, allowing the user to participate in all activities and stay updated all the time. Here are some of the best features provided by the digital hearing aids, which the outdated analog hearing aids missed to include. Scroll on to know the benefits of these hearing aids.

1. Programming & Fine Tuning: The digital hearing aids can be programmed by the hearing specialist according to the user’s hearing requirements and preference. With the setting option, the user can easily change the sound pattern in different listening environments. Moreover, the fine-tuning feature lets the specialist adjust and fine-tune the device according to the degree of one’s hearing loss, which varies from individual to individual.
2. Speech Enhancement: This amazing feature improves the speech comprehension of the hearing aid user by enhancing speech sounds and eliminating the background noise. As a result, the user can hear each word properly with pristine clarity. Participating in group conversations become easier and more comfortable.
3. Feedback Cancellation: Often the analog hearing aid users complain about the sound feedback as one of the drawbacks of these devices. In digital hearing aids, feedback cancellation is a feature that reduces the sound feedback. It makes the listening experience a comfortable one, allowing the user to wear the device for long hours without feeling un easy.
4. Directional Microphone: Sound localization is an important aspect of hearing, which is implemented via directional microphone in the digital hearing aids. This feature lets the user locate the direction of sounds in noisy environments. Hence, when standing in a crowd where sounds are coming from multiple direction, the user can easily focus on the source of speech.

5. Wireless Connectivity: Digital hearing aids are so advanced these days that the user can listen to their audio/audio-visual devices directly from the hearing aid. The digital hearing aids featuring wireless connectivity allow the user to connect to other bluetooth enabled devices such as television, computer, mobile phone, CD player, radio etc.
6. Discreet Design: There are several styles in digital hearing aids like RIC (receiver in canal), ITC (in the canal), CIC (completely in canal) & IIC (invisible in canal), which are discreet in size and almost invisible in appearance. With various designs, there are colour options too.

For More details visit our website: https://melodyaudiology.com/ or call us: 780-784-1349

Hearing Aid Devices: Which Is Perfect For You?

We all hear and know about Hearing Aid devices. Yet what is best for your friend may not be the one which is right for you. Yet if you are suffering from hearing loss then this may hold the key for your proper hearing. We at Melody Audiology, being the best hearing aid centre in Edmonton, will provide in this blog a basic guide to know what would be the best for you.

What Is A Hearing Aid Device?

There may different types of hearing aids. But the basic mechanism in all remains the same. As you would already know that Hearing aid is a device which makes sound louder. All hearing aid devices have a microphone to pick up the sound, an amplifier amplifies the sound and speakers to deliver the amplified sound to your ears, so that you may hear in spite of the hearing loss.

How To Choose The Right Hearing Aid for You?

With information now readily available through the internet and other sources, it has been observed that patients prior to their appointment with the audiologist already form an opinion of the hearing aid they are to buy. This also may also on the basis of the feedback provided by their friends and relatives, form opinions about hearing aids. Many of them may not be satisfied about the quality of the hearing even with the hearing aid and thus try to influence others in a similar negative way. What they are unable to understand is that types and causes of hearing loss may be different in different people so accordingly the hearing aids also must be personalized accordingly. So based on the following factor the hearing aid treatment as well as hearing aids must be provided to the patient suffering from Hearing Loss:

The Assessment of the Hearing Loss: The type and the degree of hearing loss may vary from person to person. So depending on the degree of the hearing loss the appropriate hearing aid must be provided. The degree and type needs to be assessed by a reliable audiologist, who can do so by various types of hearing tests.

Assessment Of The Hearing Environment The Patient Generally Is In : While choosing the right hearing aid, it also needs to be assessed the type of listening environment the patient generally is in. If the patient is residing in a heart of a busy city with loss of traffic and noise, then this factor needs to be taken into account. Other lifestyle assessments like the type of social gatherings the patient generally attends, etc. Whereas other technological aspects may also have to be considered like need of using blue tooth, etc.

The Physical Fit Of The Hearing Aid Device: This is a key factor on which the level of satisfaction of the patient depends. The hearing aid should be fit in such a way that it does not fall out. It must not at the same time hurt or whistle. As a patient you need to take particular note of this factor.

The Sound Quality And Other Features: Depending on your need the hearing aids have a host of features which you could avail depending on your need. Some may offer Noise reduction, while the others may have volume control. Some hearing aids may have directional microphones. This can help you to direct the microphone to the direction to the sound or what you want to hear. However you must finalize only after consulting a reliable audiologist who can guide you to buy the best hearing aid device which will suit you.

For hearing aid devices or any hearing loss treatment you may get in touch with us or visit https://melodyaudiology.com/

Whom To Consult For Hearing Losses?

We are often confused whom to consult for Hearing Losses? We at Melody Audiology being the leading Hearing Treatment Center in Edmonton, Alberta in this blog would try to make you aware about the basic types of hearing losses and when to consult professionals suspecing you may be suffering from hearing loss.

Various Types of Hearing Losses

Hearing Loss is the inability to hear partially or totally in one or both. Generally in terms of frequency the human ear should hear between 20 to 20000 hertz. The threshold or at least hearing ability of a person is over 25 dB (decibel). If one is not able to hear even if the decibel level of the sound is above this minimum threshold then it could be considered as Hearing Loss or Hearing Impairment. In terms of degree the hearing loss may be mild, severe or profound. The hearing loss type is generally identified by which part of the ear the hearing problem is occurring in. They may be 3 broad types of Hearing Loss based on this, which are as follows:

Conductive Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is on account of problem in the middle or outer ear. Such problems are normally curable with medication or by means of using proper hearing aids stores.

 

Sensoineural Hearing is on account of problems in the inner or auditory nerve related disorders. Though this permanent problem, but restoration of hearing even in these cases is possible with help of hearing aid device or others such devices.

Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss is termed as mixed hearing loss. Hearing Aids and other hearing Aid Devices may help in rectifying such types of Hearing Loss.

Choosing Professionals Who Treat Hearing Loss: Often we may get confused in regard to whom to consult for treatment of Hearing Loss. There are Audiologists and ENT Specialists. The general physician or an ENT Specialist may prescribe to treat infections or other conditions like ear infections, dizziness, removal of ear wax, etc. However from there you could be referred to an audiologist. An ENT Specialist on the other hand generally sees a patient when it is beyond the scope of a General Physician. He or she prescribes medication but does not perform audiology or hearing evaluations. This type of Hearing Tests are conducted by the audiologists. The Audiologists conducts various types of Hearing Tests to determine the nature and degree of the hearing loss or hearing impairment.

These tests may be Pure Tone Testing, Tympanometry, Pure Tone Tone Audiometry, Tests of the Middle Ear, Audiotory Brain Stem Response (ABR), Otoacoustic Emmissions (OAEs), etc. The tests may be conducted by the Audiologists and the results from these tests are used by the ENT Specialists to determine the treatment for the type and degree of Hearing Losses. He may recommend whether the hearing loss is treatable by medication or through surgery. In many cases hearing aids may be recommended for correction of the hearing Loss. It is advisable that you must consult an audiologist to select the right kind of Hearing Aid based on your type and degree of Hearing Loss.

We at https://melodyaudiology.com/ are experts in the treatment of hearing loss in Edmonton, Alberta. For further information about hearing loss treatment please visit us.

Tympanometry Test For People With Hearing Loss Problem

Do you know about Tympanometry? Tympanometry is a test done to diagnose the functionality of the middle ear. This is done when a problem in the middle ear is suspected. It has been generally observed that hearing loss goes undetected for a long time. Avoiding embarrassment from peers because of the hearing loss may be a possible reason why many avoid treating hearing loss.

However if hearing loss goes untreated for long, the problem only gets worse. It means missing out on important information. It ultimately leads to social isolation and depression thereafter. So a visit to the audiologist is crucial even with the slightest symptom of hearing loss. Melody Audiology is Canada’s largest chain of hearing aid centers providing professional audiological services to restore hearing problems both for children and adults. In this blog we would explain the facts about Tympanometry.

What is Tympanometry?

Tympanometry is a test to analyze the functioning of the ear drum and the middle ear. The test is conducted by creating air pressure vibrations in the ear canal. It is done to evaluate the transmission levels in the middle ear. Tympanometry helps the audiologist to understand whether the hearing loss is of the sensorineural nature or of the conductive nature. The readings made during the test are recorded on a graph called the Tympanogram. Normally when the air pressures are applied in the ear canal, the ear drums should be able to move easily. But sometimes there may be ear infections inside the middle ear. The Eustachian tube, connects the back of the nose, the throat with the middle ear. This may not work well and the eardrums do not move as well as they should. This gets detected in the Tympanometry test.

 The Tympanometry Procedure:

Prior to the actual test the doctor looks inside the ear canal. This is done with a special instrument for looking into the ear, called otoscope. The audiologist does this to ensure that no foreign object is obstructing the eardrum. Following this a probe type device is placed in the ear. Then different ear pressures are generated in the ear. The movement of the eardrums as a result of the application of different air pressures occurs. The measurement of the eardrums along with other readings is noted. During the process the patient may feel a bit uneasy. He or she is likely to hear loud tones as the device starts recording the measurements. The process of Tympanometry can be carried out on young children even. When the procedure is being carried out, the patient is not allowed to speak or swallow. This is to done to avoid any incorrect readings being recorded. Extra care is to be given for children on whom the test is being done. Normal results from the test may be the absence of any fluid in the middle ear, normal movements of the eardrum and conducting bones. If the results are abnormal, it may be because of the presence of fluid in the middle ear. Other abnormalities may be perforation of the eardrum, lack of contact between conduction bones of the middle ear etc.