subject: Why Did You Fail A Hearing Test? [print this page] There is nothing quite like failing a hearing test. You may feel lost, overwhelmed, and worried. What is happening and why? The good news is that with the information from such a testing session, your doctor will be able to tell you what is going on and what this means for your future. In many situations, the ability to hear will change over time. As people get older, the quality of sound they can hear will change and often it gets worse. This happens as just a part of aging in about half of all older people. However, other complications, including prolonged exposure to noise can also contribute to the problem.
What Is Causing It May Be Damage
One of the most common reasons for this type of hearing test failure is damage to the inner ear. If this component of the ear is damaged, it is usually from hereditary factors, age or from prolonged exposure to sound. If your doctor tells you that you have sensorineural loss, this is due to damage to the very small hairs and nerve cells located on the cochlea, a portion of the inner ear. Those nerve cells gather sounds, translate them, and send them to the brain. When there is damage to these structures, the messages get lost. This type of loss is often permanent, though the use of devices can improve sound quality for many people.
Wax Buildup Concerns
Another common reason for there to be a failed hearing test is due to the buildup of earwax in the canal. This can become so much so that it is hard to hear well. Even though you may try to clean it out, it is rarely possible to get as much as necessary out. The problem often occurs when the substance rubs up against the eardrum, which is beyond the reach of fingers or cleaning devices. Often, the ability to hear comes back when the earwax is removed.
Infections and Bone Growths
It is possible to have tumors, bone growths and ear infections that can lead to some loss of the ability to hear and you may fail a screening as a result. Some of these, usually those on the middle and outer ear, are easily treated. In some cases, if the condition is improved, it will lead to a restoration of the ability to hear.
Why you failed a hearing test depends on what happened when your doctor talked to you about your condition. From various screenings and visual inspection, your audiologist will be able to tell you what is happening and why. Often, there is a solution that can improve some or all of your loss.
