Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Health & Hearing Aids
Most adults should have a hearing test every 1–2 years, or sooner if you notice hearing changes, ringing in the ears, or trouble understanding speech. People with known hearing loss, tinnitus, or noise exposure may need testing more frequently.
A standard hearing test measures frequencies from 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz, which covers most speech sounds and everyday listening environments.
Decibels show how loud a sound must be for you to hear it.
- Decibels show how loud a sound must be for you to hear it.
- 0–25 dB: Normal hearing
- 26–40 dB: Mild hearing loss
- 41–55 dB: Moderate hearing loss
- 56–70 dB: Moderately severe hearing loss
- 71+ dB: Severe hearing loss
An audiogram is a graph of your hearing test results that shows:
- Pitch (frequency) on the horizontal axis
- Loudness (decibels) on the vertical axis
It helps your audiologist identify the type and degree of hearing loss.
- Symbols on the chart represent each ear
- Lower marks indicate better hearing
- Higher marks indicate hearing loss
Your audiologist explains how the results affect speech understanding and daily communication.
Normal hearing falls between 0–25 decibels across tested frequencies. Difficulty hearing speech often begins above this range.
Common causes include:
- Hearing loss
- Noise exposure
- Head injury or concussion
- Earwax buildup
- Certain medications
- Dehydration or circulation issues
There is no universal cure, but tinnitus can often be successfully managed with treatment options like sound therapy, hearing aids, tinnitus masking, and counseling.
Tinnitus treatment may include:
- Hearing aids with tinnitus masking
- Sound therapy
- Lifestyle and dietary guidance
- Managing underlying hearing loss
A personalized evaluation determines the best approach.
Staying hydrated can help reduce tinnitus symptoms for some people, especially if dehydration is contributing to ear or circulation issues.
Yes. Tinnitus is common after head injuries or concussions and should be evaluated if symptoms persist.
Hearing aids can:
- Improve speech understanding
- Reduce listening fatigue
- Help manage tinnitus
- Improve social connection and quality of life
Possible limitations include:
- Adjustment period
- Background noise challenges
- Regular maintenance needs
Modern technology greatly reduces these concerns.
Common styles include:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- Completely-in-canal (CIC)
Your audiologist recommends the best option for your hearing and lifestyle.
Yes. Many issues can be repaired in-office, including sound problems, fit issues, and component replacement.
Audiology clinics work with leading hearing aid manufacturers, offering multiple technology levels and styles.
An audiologist is a licensed healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
You should schedule an evaluation if you:
- Struggle to hear conversations
- Experience ringing in your ears
- Turn up volume frequently
- Feel off-balance or dizzy
Yes. Advanced Hearing Aid & Diagnostics, LLC provides comprehensive hearing tests, tinnitus care, hearing aids, repairs, and ongoing support for patients in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.
