Does Tinnitus Affect A Hearing Test?

Tinnitus is a common medical symptom of an underlying condition that causes ringing in the ears. While it may not seem like a big deal, tinnitus can be quite disruptive and affect your quality of life. Many people with tinnitus also experience hearing loss, which can make it difficult to undergo a traditional hearing test. In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not tinnitus affects hearing tests and what you can do to get the most accurate results.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. It can be caused by a number of things, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss and even some medications. For example, aspirin is a common medication that can cause tinnitus. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as Meniere’s disease or acoustic neuroma.

Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant, and it can vary in intensity. For some people, tinnitus is just a minor annoyance. But for others, it can be quite debilitating. For instance, tinnitus can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep or even carry on a conversation because of the ringing in the ears.

Does Tinnitus Affect Hearing Tests?

Yes, tinnitus can affect hearing tests. This is because tinnitus can interfere with your ability to hear sounds accurately. When you have tinnitus, you may find it difficult to focus on sound accurately, which can lead to inaccurate results on a hearing test.

The reason is that during the tests, sounds are presented at different volumes and frequencies. If you have tinnitus, you may not be able to hear the sounds accurately, which can lead to inaccurate results. There are two main types of hearing tests: pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry.

Pure-tone Audiometry

Pure-tone audiometry is the most common type of hearing test. This test measures your ability to hear different tones at different volumes. A tone is presented through headphones or speakers and you are asked to indicate when you hear it. The results of this test are plotted on a graph called an audiogram.

The audiogram shows the softest sound you can hear at different frequencies. If you have tinnitus, you may not be able to hear the tones accurately, which can lead to inaccurate results on the audiogram.

Speech Audiometry

Speech audiometry is a type of hearing test that measures your ability to hear and understand speech. This test is usually used to assess people who have difficulty understanding speech, even when they can hear the sounds clearly. During the test, you will be asked to repeat words or phrases that are presented at different volumes and speeds. If you have tinnitus, you may not be able to hear the words accurately, which can lead to inaccurate results on the speech audiometry test.

How Can I Get the Most Accurate Results on a Hearing Test?

If you have tinnitus, there are a few things you can do to get the most accurate results on a hearing test. First, it is important to discuss your tinnitus with your hearing instrument specialist. They will be able to determine if your tinnitus is likely to affect your hearing test results. Second, be sure to follow all of the instructions during the hearing test.

This will help ensure that the results are as accurate as possible. Finally, relax and focus as much as you can during the test. Taking deep breaths and focusing on something else in the room can help you stay calm and focused during the test.

What If My Hearing Test Results Are Inaccurate?

If your hearing test results are inaccurate, there are a few things you can do. First, you can retest. This will help ensure that the results are as accurate as possible. Second, you can discuss your tinnitus with your hearing instrument specialist and have them adjust the settings on your hearing aid. This can help to reduce the interference from your tinnitus and improve your hearing aid performance.

Finally, you can try using noise-canceling headphones or other sound-masking devices. These devices can help to reduce the interference from tinnitus and improve your hearing aid performance.

How to Treat Tinnitus?

There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are several things you can do to manage your symptoms. First, you can try avoiding loud noise. This will help to prevent further damage to your hearing and reduce the intensity of your tinnitus. Second, you can use sound-masking devices to reduce the interference from tinnitus. These devices can make it easier to concentrate and focus on other sounds.

Finally, you can use relaxation techniques to help you cope with the stress and anxiety that tinnitus can cause. These relaxation techniques can be anything from deep breathing exercises to meditation.

Tinnitus can affect a hearing test in many ways. If you have tinnitus, it is important to discuss this with your hearing instrument specialist. They will be able to determine if your tinnitus is likely to affect your hearing test results. Be sure to follow all of the instructions during the hearing test and relax as much as you can.

For more information on how to treat tinnitus, please get in touch with the Center for Better Hearing at 510-768-7091. We are here to help you find the best solution for your hearing needs.