What to Expect at Your Annual Hearing Exam
Just like a yearly physical, an annual hearing exam is a proactive checkup that catches changes in your hearing before they impact your daily life. Most exams take about an hour and are completely painless and non-invasive. Our friendly team at SoundPoint Audiology in Santa Fe will take the time to listen to your concerns, provide a thorough evaluation, and ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible.
Your annual hearing exam will include:
- A conversation about your hearing, lifestyle, and any changes you’ve noticed.
- A gentle ear exam and earwax removal for optimal hearing and hygiene.
- Comprehensive hearing test to assess your current hearing health.
- Hearing aid cleaning, inspection, testing, and adjustments if required.
By the end of your visit, you’ll have a complete picture of your hearing health. We will review your test results with you and take the time to clearly explain what they mean. If we identify a change, we’ll discuss the appropriate next steps based on your individual needs.
Early hearing loss detection is the single best way to protect your long-term auditory health and quality of life. Schedule your annual hearing exam at SoundPoint Audiology in Santa Fe today.
Appointment Duration: 60-90 Minutes
Languages Supported: English
We Accept: Cash, ATM / Debit Personal Check, Invoice, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Insurance, Financing Available
Hearing Health Discussion
Your hearing exam will begin with a one-on-one conversation about your hearing health. Your specialist will ask about any changes to your lifestyle that may affect your hearing, any ringing or other ear-related symptoms, or any concerns you may have.
We’ll also review your health history, medications, noise exposure, previous hearing test results, and any other factors that could affect your hearing over time. This discussion helps us understand your unique situation so we can tailor your exam and any recommendations specifically to your needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Ear Exam and Earwax Removal
Healthy ears provide the foundation for accurate hearing testing. During your appointment, we’ll examine your ears for any physical problems like earwax buildup, injury, infection, and other concerns that could affect your hearing or interfere with testing.
If excessive earwax is present and removal is appropriate, we can clean your ears as part of your visit. This step not only makes you more comfortable but also ensures your hearing test results are accurate.
Comprehensive Hearing Test
A comprehensive hearing exam uses several tests to build a complete picture of how your ears and auditory system are functioning. Depending on your needs, your exam may include:
- Pure-Tone Testing: Measures the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches and frequencies.
- Speech Testing: Evaluates how well you detect and understand speech and helps assess how clearly you hear spoken words.
- Bone-Conduction Testing: Helps determine whether hearing loss is related to the outer or middle ear or the inner ear.
- Tympanometry: Measures how your eardrum and middle ear respond to changes in air pressure.
Your hearing test results are recorded on a graph called an audiogram, giving us a clear picture of your current hearing ability and overall auditory health. Comparing your results with previous exams also helps us identify meaningful changes over time and determine whether additional evaluation or hearing care is needed.
Hearing Aid Cleaning and Adjustments
Annual hearing exams are especially important if you wear hearing aids. Your hearing needs can change over time, and even small changes can impact how well your hearing aids perform.
During your annual hearing exam, we will also:
- Clean your hearing aids and remove any buildup, debris, or moisture that can impact sound quality and performance.
- Thoroughly inspect your devices for signs of wear or damage.
- Perform diagnostic tests to verify that your hearing aids are operating properly.
- Adjust your hearing aid settings to improve sound clarity, comfort, and overall performance.
Annual hearing exams provide an opportunity to discuss your hearing experience, fine-tune your devices, and ensure your hearing aids continue delivering clear, comfortable sound.
Schedule Your Annual Hearing Test at SoundPoint Audiology in Santa Fe
Schedule Your Annual Hearing Test at SoundPoint Audiology in Santa FeÂ
Annual Hearing Exams FAQs
Get answers to common questions about annual hearing exams:
How often should I get a hearing exam?
The appropriate frequency of hearing exams depends on your age, hearing history, risk factors, symptoms, and whether you already have hearing loss or use hearing aids. Establishing a baseline hearing test during adulthood can make it easier to identify changes later. As hearing loss becomes more common with age, regular exams become increasingly important.
Adult hearing exam recommendations by age:
- Under 40: Every 3 to 5 years.
- Aged 40 to 59: Every 1 to 3 years.
- Aged 60+: Every 1 year, even if they haven’t noticed any changes in their hearing.
If you have known hearing loss, wear hearing aids, are regularly exposed to loud noise, or experience other ear-related symptoms, more frequent checkups may be recommended.
If you have experienced changes in your hearing or hearing aid performance, contact SoundPoint Audiology today to schedule an exam as soon as possible.
What happens if the exam finds hearing loss?
If your hearing exam identifies hearing loss, we’ll walk you through your results in clear, easy-to-understand terms. We will clearly explain the type and degree of hearing loss detected and talk through what it means for your day-to-day life.
From there, we’ll discuss personalized options, which may include hearing aids, further testing, or simple lifestyle adjustments. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions at a comfortable pace, with no pressure and no confusing jargon.
Schedule your annual hearing exam at SoundPoint Audiology in Santa Fe to learn more about your hearing health.
What should I bring to my hearing exam appointment?
Preparing for your appointment is simple. Here is a quick checklist of everything you should bring to your annual hearing exam:
- A valid photo ID
- Insurance card (if applicable)
- Your hearing aids (if applicable)
- List of current medications
- Relevant medical history
- Previous hearing tests results (if not in our records)
- Any questions or concerns
If you already wear hearing aids, bring them along so we can clean, inspect, and test them as part of your visit. It’s also helpful to jot down any hearing-related concerns or questions beforehand, so we can make sure to address them during your appointment.
Have additional questions? Contact our team at SoundPoint Audiology and we will be more than happy to assist you.
How much do annual hearing exams cost?
At SoundPoint Audiology, annual hearing exams are typically included at no additional cost as part of your ongoing hearing loss treatment plan. If you do not have a hearing care plan with us, annual hearing exams are typically available for a small nominal fee.
Our team will always provide clear information about any costs before your appointment. Contact us today to schedule your annual hearing exam.
How long does a hearing exam take?
Most annual hearing exams at SoundPoint Audiology take about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your individual needs. This includes time for a conversation about your hearing health, ear exam and cleaning, hearing tests, and a clear walkthrough of your results afterward.
If you wear hearing aids, additional time may be needed to clean, inspect, and fine-tune your devices. We never rush through appointments, since making sure you fully understand your hearing health and have all your questions answered is just as important as the exam itself.
Contact us today to book your annual hearing exam and get the personalized care you deserve.
