You might have hearing loss if you've experienced:
Muffled quality of speech and other sounds
Difficulty understanding words, especially in a crowd of people or against background noise
Asking others to speak more loudly and clearly
Needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio
Wanting to withdraw from conversations
Avoiding social settings
What happens during a hearing test?
During testing you will wear headphones so the audiologist can test various volumes of sounds that are directed into one ear at a time. The doctor will present a range of tones and will ask you when you hear the sound. Each tone is presented at various levels to find out when you can barely hear. You will also be presented with words to determine your hearing ability.
What is an audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses, treats and manages individuals with hearing loss, tinnitus and/or balance problems. They have acquired a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. Audiologists determine appropriate treatment by reviewing a patient's history and performing specialized auditory and balance assessments.
Will a hearing aid restore my hearing to normal again?
Hearing aids will not restore your hearing to "normal." Instead, the hearing aid can improve your hearing and listening capabilities and they can substantially improve your quality of life.
Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.
