A hearing test detects more than just how loud you can hear. The symptoms of many conditions can be detected early enough for them to be easily managed before they become worse.
Early Hair Cell Damage
Sensorineural hearing loss (the most common type of hearing loss) is a gradual deterioration of the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. It can be discovered years before you even notice that you are having difficulty in conversation. By then a simple hearing test would have highlighted the exact degree of loss across all frequencies.
One-Sided Hearing Loss
A loss of hearing in one ear can be investigated to find the cause of the one-sided hearing loss. A loss of hearing in one ear can be a sign of an acoustic neuroma, a type of benign brain tumor. Acoustic neuromas can be treated successfully if caught early enough.
Middle-Ear Problems
Otosclerosis – where the small bones in the middle ear become fixed or stiffened. This can be picked up by hearing tests that determine how sound travels through your ear. Early diagnosis and treatment is far easier than if it had become apparent with full blown symptoms.
Noise-Induced Damage in Working Adults
Younger adults with working lives that involve exposure to loud noise and/or vibration at work or in leisure activities may find that there is a noticeable dip at a specific frequency before any other aspects of their hearing are affected. This allows time for appropriate action to be taken to protect your hearing before any permanent damage is done.
Tinnitus With an Underlying Cause
Tinnitus often can be linked to a hearing loss or middle ear problem which can be detected by a hearing test and then treated by your audiologist or doctor as appropriate. Sometimes tinnitus that is caused by another factor is often described as incidental tinnitus and does not require any further treatment.
Hearing Test Cheltenham is covered in more detail at www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/cheltenham/.
Most of these conditions are treatable if caught early enough. So before your symptoms get worse, book a hearing test.
