Hearing Assessments are not all created equal.

The following information provided by the BC association of speech language pathology and audiology is helpful in differentiating a diagnostic hearing evaluation from a hearing screening.

Hearing assessments are not all created equal. A complete hearing test also referred to as a ‘diagnostic hearing test’ or a ‘hearing evaluation’, includes a full assessment of your hearing ability, your speech understanding ability, and an assessment of your outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. This type of test can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour or more, depending on the degree and type of your hearing loss, and is typically performed by an audiologist.

A hearing screening is an abbreviated version of a standard hearing test. It is a test only of your ability to hear different tones for each ear. The screening will only indicate if a hearing loss is present or not. A hearing screening typically takes less than 15 minutes. This type of test can be performed by any number of individuals, including public health or school nurses, Speech-Language Pathologists, ENT, medical office assistants, hearing aid dispensers or dealers, audiometric technicians and audiologists.

The Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia does not cover the cost of hearing screenings or tests unless performed at a hospital (under the direction of an ENT). Hearing tests performed in public health units are typically free of charge to the public. All other tests are subject to a charge at the discretion of the audiologist or dealer.  ‘Free’ hearing tests are normally, in fact, hearing screenings.

How do I know if I need a hearing ‘screening’ or a hearing ‘test’ (full diagnostic evaluation)?

Truthfully, a diagnostic hearing evaluation will always be more valuable than a screening. A screening may reveal there is hearing loss, but the type of hearing loss will be unknown. Additionally, it will provide a more in-depth view of your auditory system and may show warning signs of hearing loss to come. It also provides information on all three parts of the ear: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear; all of which can contribute to hearing loss. It can also provide useful information in differential diagnosis when there is concern of a vestibular disorder. A diagnostic hearing evaluation is always recommended if you have never had an assessment before.

What can I do to prepare for my visit with an audiologist?

The following is a list of suggestions for your first visit with an audiologist for a hearing aid consultation:

• Bring any previous test results with you. This can help the audiologist to determine whether your hearing has changed or whether it has remained stable.
• Bring a friend or family member with you to take notes when you go to the hearing clinic for a consultation. There is an awful lot of information presented during a hearing aid consultation, and four ears are better than two!
• Before you purchase hearing aids, list all of the situations where you have difficulty hearing and understanding conversation. Ask your audiologist in which of these situations you can reasonably expect improvement in your hearing. For example, will your ability to hear conversations at the dinner table improve? What about at a nightclub or restaurant?
• Ask for information about various kinds of hearing aids, how they will help you, what their limitations are, and the pros and cons of the different makes and models. You should come away from a hearing aid consultation appointment understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different styles and hearing aid technologies.
• Ask for a copy of your audiogram. This is helpful for the audiologist so that she/he is able to determine whether there has been a significant change in your hearing