Shure Notes Goes to the Audiologist
If your calling takes you on stage, behind the stage or in front of it, the time is now to have your hearing checked. But what's involved? How much does it cost? We went straight to Doctor of Audiology Sheri Gostomelsky for the answers.
What can a first-time patient expect?
The experience will vary depending upon the business you choose. Audiologists are found in many settings from medical to private practice. The audiologist should be asking lots of questions about your work environment, lifestyle and health. Some of the questions may seem unnecessary but there are many factors that can increase the risk of hearing loss. For example, exposure to loud noises in conjunction with smoking can have an impact on hearing.
That's surprising. What tests are performed? What's the process like?
After taking a good case history comes an examination of the ear canal. A small light allows the audiologist to view the ear canal all the way down to the eardrum. If there is excessive earwax, it will require removal. Many practices have technology to let you see the inside of your ear on a computer monitor.
During the actual hearing test, you will enter a sound proof booth. The examination requires listening and responding to tones and words while wearing a headset. If necessary, there are other tests that won't require your active participation but will require you to sit quietly with an earplug. There are procedures that can measure early changes to hearing that may not show up on a traditional hearing exam. These measurements are in addition to a basic exam and will prove useful to long-term follow-up.
Are all the tests performed on site? About how much does it cost?
All hearing tests can be performed in the office. The cost of a basic examination will vary according to the community you live in and can range from $75-110 and up if any special testing is required. Most insurance can be billed, but it's best to check ahead of time.
What's the best way to find an audiologist?
The American Academy of Audiology www.audiology.org and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology www.audiologist.org have lists of local audiologists. As in any profession, there are providers that have different areas of expertise, so you may need to ask a few questions to see if you will be comfortable with what the practice has to offer.
Assuming the individual is at risk, how often should hearing be retested?
Once a year. It's important to get that first hearing test as a baseline for comparison.
What safeguards can someone working in noisy environments take?
Anyone who works in a noisy environment is at risk for hearing loss. Properly fit ear protection is the way to go.
There are a number of over-the -counter solutions, but it is important that the plugs are put in properly. Not everyone can wear these earpieces with comfort. These filtered earpieces range from $10-20 a pair. Custom products are a great choice as the filtering can be changed and the fit and comfort is great. Custom ear protection can range from $100-180 a pair. Proper monitoring each year eliminates any guesswork about the effectiveness of the ear protection.
I cannot overstress the importance of using ear protection. If you have ever left a noisy environment when your ears are stuffed or ringing, the damage is done. And repeated exposures just add up. It may not show up right away, but guaranteed, for most of us, it will show up.
Are you seeing more cases of NIHL in our own practice?
I am seeing younger and younger patients. Every teenager that I have tested this year has shown early signs of hearing loss.
Any final advice?
With the music we listen to it is so important to keep the volume down. As a rule, if anyone else can hear what you are listening to through earphones, it is too loud. Wearing noise-canceling earphones will help to reduce the volume. Custom earpieces can be made for all earbuds, which is another solution for lowering the volume.
In January of this year the American Academy of Audiology came out with a campaign called "Turn it to the left" to educate school age children about the perils of loud music. Rapper Ben Jackson composed a great piece to spread the message.
Sheri Gostomelsky has been practicing audiology for 30 years specializing in hearing conservation and hearing enhancement with state of the art technology. She is a graduate of University of Illinois (B.S.) Illinois State University (M.S.) and Arizona School of Health Sciences (Au.D.) Sheri's website: www.deerfieldaudiology.com
Many of our readers are either musicians or crew members who work in live sound. One of Shure's corporate causes is hearing preservation - the Listen Safe Program, where hearing screenings are performed at various events. Shure encourages everyone who is subjected to high SPLs to visit an audiologist for an evaluation.
