Over-the-phone tests are good for screening, but they depend on the quality of YOUR phone. Use it if you can, but an In-office visit is usuallly free, and more comprehensive.
I test people's hearing for a living, but I can't count the number of times I've left a club or concert with my ears RINGING....
We tend not to notice the damage 'till it affects us.
A good examiner will do a visual check of your ears (often with a fiver-optic camera connected to a monitor. You get to see your own ear-drum.) which often whill show blockage of some sort. Many times, having it cleared will solve the problem. Next, there will be speech tests, and a pure-tone test. The tone test checks how well you hear SOUND, the speech test checks how WELL YOU UNDERSTAND SPEECH. Because of the difference in high and low frequency sounds in speech, both tests are needed for a comprehensive exam. Most hearing centers should administer these tests for free.
May is "Better Hearing Month". Get checked today !
I mean you.
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The RudeDawg
Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes
and my girlfriends, Pamila and Phil