Hearing is a vital sense that connects us to people, places, and everyday life. Yet hearing loss often creeps in slowly and many of us don’t notice until communication becomes a challenge. A professional hearing test is the most reliable way to assess your hearing health, catch subtle changes early, and give you a baseline for the future.

At Twin Tiers Hearing Aid Clinic, we believe in empowering our community with knowledge because understanding your hearing is the first step toward protecting it.

When Should You Consider Getting a Hearing Test

You don’t need to wait until hearing loss becomes obvious. Here are common “red flags” that mean a hearing test might be a good idea:

You often ask people to repeat themselves.
You struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments (restaurants, family gatherings, public spaces).
You find yourself cranking up the volume on the TV, radio, or phone so others comment it’s too loud.
You have difficulty hearing high-pitched voices — children’s, female voices, or soft speech.
You notice ringing, buzzing, or fullness in your ears (tinnitus or ear pressure).
You avoid social situations because conversation is tiring or frustrating.
You have a history of noise exposure (work, concerts, machinery), recurring ear infections, earwax problems, or other ear issues.
You’re over 50 — because age-related hearing changes are common and gradual.

Even if hearing feels “okay,” a periodic check (every few years) is smart, especially with risk factors or if you want a baseline for monitoring changes.

What Happens During a Hearing Test at Twin Tiers

A hearing test at a trusted clinic like Twin Tiers involves several simple, non-invasive steps. The process typically takes under an hour, and is painless — with no “pass / fail,” just a better understanding of your hearing health.

Here’s how it works:

1. Conversation & Medical History

We’ll ask about your hearing concerns, lifestyle, exposure to noise, any ear problems (wax, infections, surgeries), medications, and more. This helps us tailor the hearing evaluation to your needs.

2. Ear Health Check — Otoscopy

Using a small lighted device, we visually examine your ear canal and eardrum to check for earwax, blockages, eardrum health, or other issues that might affect hearing or test results.

3. Hearing Tests — What You’ll Do

Pure-Tone Audiometry (“beep test”): Wearing headphones in a quiet room, you’ll hear tones at different pitches and volumes. You’ll indicate when you hear them — this determines the softest sounds you can detect across frequencies.
Speech Testing: You may also be asked to repeat words or phrases. This helps evaluate not just hearing, but how well you understand speech — especially in real-life situations.
Middle-Ear & Ear Function Tests (if needed): Sometimes tests like tympanometry or reflex testing are performed to check how the eardrum and middle-ear structures are working — useful if there are concerns about ear health beyond simple hearing loss.

4. Review & Discussion of Results

After testing, we review the results together. Whether your hearing is perfectly healthy — or shows signs of decline — we explain clearly what the findings mean, and what actions (if any) might help protect or improve your hearing.

Why Getting Regular Hearing Tests Matters — Even If You Feel Fine

Catch gradual hearing loss early: Many kinds of hearing loss develop slowly. Having a baseline helps detect changes before they become obvious.
Protect brain & communication health: Unsurprisingly, difficulty hearing can increase stress, fatigue, and reduce social engagement. Early detection helps avoid those consequences.
Avoid surprises or misdiagnoses: Earwax buildup, middle-ear issues, or temporary hearing fluctuations can be detected and treated — before assuming permanent hearing loss.
Inform better decisions later: If hearing changes, having past tests helps track progression and decide on treatments (hearing aids, lifestyle changes, preventive measures).

What to Do Before Your Hearing Test & How to Prepare

To get the most accurate results:

Try to avoid loud noise exposure 24 hours before the test (e.g. concerts, heavy machinery, very loud music).
Bring a list of any medications, past ear conditions, or noise exposures.
Note any hearing concerns or situations where hearing is difficult — even if minor or intermittent.
Relax: there’s nothing to “pass” or “fail.” The aim is to understand your hearing health.

Ready for a Hearing Check? Twin Tiers Is Here for You

If you’ve noticed any hearing difficulties or simply want peace of mind, a hearing test at Twin Tiers Hearing Aid Clinic could be a valuable step. Whether you’re hearing clearly now or suspect subtle changes, our friendly, professional team can guide you through the process, explain results in detail, and help you make informed decisions.

Don’t wait until hearing issues become obvious. Book your hearing test with Twin Tiers today, because protecting your hearing health matters.

Your Hearing Deserves Attention: When and Why to Schedule a Hearing Test

When Should You Consider Getting a Hearing Test