Here’s what you can expect during a visit to Placid Audiology: A hearing exam takes place in our soundproof room. You will listen to a series of tones at different volumes and pitches through headphones, and indicate each time you hear one, no matter how soft. You will be asked to repeat words and phrases which can help determine how clearly you can understand speech, both in quiet and noisy situations. Dr. Wolff does all of the testing herself, and she will explain the results to you. The entire process is painless and can even be fun! Everyone should have a baseline hearing exam by age 50.

Answer and score each of the questions, below with No (0 points), Sometimes (2 points), or Yes (4 points). Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people? Does a hearing problem cause you to feel frustrated when talking to members of your family? Do you have difficulty hearing when someone speaks in a whisper? Do you feel handicapped by a hearing problem? Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when visiting friends, relatives, or neigh-bors? Does a hearing problem cause you to attend religious services less often than you would like? Does a hearing problem cause you to have arguments with family members? Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when listening to TV or radio? Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits or hampers your personal or social life? Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when in a restaurant with relatives or friends? The total number of points is a good indicator of probability of hearing impairment. If you score a total of 10 or more points, please make an appointment with an audiologist for a comprehensive exam and hearing healthcare plan.

A feeling of fullness in your ears after leaving a noisy area. Ringing or buzzing sound in your ears immediately following noise exposure. You can’t hear someone talking three feet away. You can hear people talking but have difficulty understanding them. Unfortunately, hearing loss due to noise exposure can happen so gradually over time that people may not realize that it is happening until they start to have difficulty in many listening situations. May is Better Hearing Month. Take control of your hearing health and make an appointment with an audiologist for a base line hearing evaluation to include a personalized hearing conservation plan. Noise induced hearing loss is preventable!