Audiometry in Astana: 2 doctors

Key points

• An audiogram shows the hearing thresholds of each ear by frequency and loudness.
• The procedure is painless: headphones, a response button and a vibrator behind the ear.
• For 24 hours before the visit, avoid loud music and headphones.
• If you have a runny nose, a fever or earwax blockage, the test is postponed.
• A repeat test is prescribed by the doctor; the intervals depend on the cause of the hearing impairment.

What is audiometry

Audiometry is a hearing test in which a person hears sounds of different loudness and pitch and reports their sensations. Based on the results, the doctor understands how the auditory system works and whether there are deviations from the norm.

What the service gives the doctor and the patient

Audiometry gives the doctor an objective picture of how a person perceives sounds of different frequency and loudness. The patient receives a clear explanation of why it is difficult for them to distinguish speech or why noise appears in the ears. The doctor sees at which frequencies hearing is preserved and at which it is reduced, and how pronounced this reduction is. From these data, they determine whether the problem is related to the outer, middle or inner ear. For the patient, this helps to understand whether they need a consultation with an audiologist or whether observation by an otolaryngologist is sufficient. If hearing loss affects conversational frequencies, a person begins to hear the interlocutor worse in noise. The doctor compares the results with the complaints and history in order not to make a mistake in the conclusions. The patient should bring previous reports if the test is being repeated.

When the service is prescribed

• Hearing loss: a person notices that they distinguish speech worse, often asks again and asks to speak louder.
• Tinnitus: constant or periodic ringing without an external source requires testing to understand its cause.
• After an injury or an infection: a blow to the head, otitis or a complication may affect hearing unnoticed by the person themselves.
• Occupational risks: working in a noisy environment affects hearing over time, so testing is carried out for monitoring.
• Before fitting a hearing aid: without accurate data on frequencies and loudness, it is impossible to select a suitable device.
• Monitoring during treatment: a repeat test shows whether hearing changes over time and whether the observation tactics need to be changed.

What this service will not show

Audiometry does not answer the question of what exactly caused the hearing loss, because it assesses only the perception of sounds. It does not replace an examination of the ear, during which the doctor sees the condition of the eardrum and the external canal. The causes of the disorder may lie in the middle ear, the auditory nerve or in the parts of the brain responsible for processing sound. To understand this, additional examinations are prescribed, for example impedancemetry or computed tomography. Audiometry also does not show how a person distinguishes speech in noise and how well hearing aids help them. For this, speech tests are carried out under background noise conditions. If the results diverge from the complaints, the doctor may refer the patient for a consultation with an audiologist or a neurologist. It is important for the patient to understand that audiometry is one of the stages of examination, and not a final answer.

How does the procedure go?

Audiometry is a hearing test in which the patient listens to signals of different loudness and pitch and indicates when they hear them. Below is a description of how the procedure is carried out, how long each stage takes and what the person feels during it.

Step-by-step procedure

Audiometry begins with a short conversation: the specialist clarifies the complaints and asks whether the patient hears worse in one ear or in both. The person is then seated in a soundproof booth, given headphones and handed a button to respond with. The doctor sends tones of different loudness and pitch through the headphones, and the patient presses the button as soon as they hear a signal. Bone conduction is checked separately: a vibrator is placed on the mastoid process behind the ear, which transmits sound directly through the bone. Speech is then tested — the patient is played words or phrases and asked to repeat what they made out. The results are recorded on an audiogram — a graph with two axes, on which the hearing thresholds for each ear are marked. From this graph the specialist determines at which frequencies hearing is reduced and how pronounced this reduction is. Before the visit it is worth getting a good night's sleep and not listening to loud music through headphones, so that the result is more reliable.

How long each stage takes

What the patient feels

Audiometry is painless: the only thing the person feels is the sounds in the headphones and the light pressure of the vibrator behind the ear. The tones may seem unusually quiet or, conversely, sharp, but the loudness always remains within safe limits. In the soundproof booth you can hear your own breathing and heartbeat, and this is normal, not a sign of a problem. Some signals are deliberately presented at the threshold of audibility, so there is no need to strain and guess — it is important to press the button only when the sound is genuinely distinguishable. If discomfort or ringing in the ears appears during the test, this is reported to the doctor straight away, and they pause. After the procedure there are no restrictions: you can immediately return to your usual activities, drive or work. A little tiredness after the session is explained by the concentration of attention, not by any effect on hearing, and passes on its own.

Preparation for the procedure

Preparation for audiometry does not require complicated actions, but whether a recording of pure hearing thresholds is obtained depends on several details. Below — what to do in advance, what to put in your bag and which usual steps are best postponed.

What to do the day before

Audiometry relies on silence in the ear and a calm state of the patient, so a day before the visit it is worth removing everything that creates extra noise. Loud music in headphones, concerts and work with a jackhammer are best postponed: after such a load the ears temporarily hear worse, and the recording will show a false decrease. If you have a cold, your nose is blocked or your ear hurts, it is reasonable to postpone the procedure — swelling and mucus change the conduction of sound, and the result will be unreliable. A few hours before the appointment you should not drink strong coffee or energy drinks: they increase anxiety, and worry prevents concentration on quiet signals. Get enough sleep, eat as usual and take with you someone who will help you get there if you feel tired after the examination. Come early so that you can sit down calmly and catch your breath after the journey, rather than running into the office with noise in your head. If you wear hearing aids, put them on as usual, but be ready to take them off at the specialist's request.

What to take with you

• Identity document: the document is needed to register the appointment at the reception desk; without it the visit may be delayed or moved to another day.
• Referral: the paper from the doctor who referred you for the examination helps the specialist understand which hearing thresholds exactly interest colleagues.
• Previous audiograms: old recordings and reports show the dynamics, so they are worth taking even if the examination was long ago and in another city.
• Discharge summaries and examination results: reports from an ENT doctor, neurologist or audiologist give the overall picture and help correctly interpret today's data.
• List of medications taken: a list of what you take constantly is useful if the specialist wants to clarify the effect on hearing.
• Hearing aids and ear moulds: if you use them, take them with you — this makes it easier to compare the result with how you hear in life.

What not to do

• Come after a noisy party: loud music and shouting leave a trace in the ears for hours, so the recording will come out underestimated and will have to be repeated.
• Clean your ears with cotton buds yourself: it is easy to damage the skin of the canal or push earwax deeper, and the specialist will not be able to carry out the examination.
• Put any drops in your ears: any drops before the visit change the condition of the canal; you should simply tell the specialist about them.
• Come with a fever or a runny nose: in such a state it is better to postpone the procedure, otherwise the result will be unreliable.
• Try to guess the answers: you should not raise your hand if the signal is not heard — this distorts the picture and prevents a correct assessment.
• Stop your usual medications without a doctor's advice: the decision to change the regimen is made only by the treating specialist, not by preparation for the examination.

Who gets it and how often?

Audiometry is prescribed when hearing loss is suspected, for tinnitus and after injuries, as well as to monitor already known disorders. How often it is repeated depends on the cause and on how the condition changes.

Who is most often referred

Audiometry is most often needed by people who have begun to hear the speech of the person they are talking to less well in noise or who ask for what was said to be repeated. The doctor refers for the test when there are complaints of tinnitus, a feeling of blockage, and after otitis media, when recovery is slow. A separate group is patients who work in conditions of constant loud noise: factory workshops, construction sites, aviation and musical ensembles. For them the check is carried out regularly, because hearing loss develops gradually and the person themselves notices it late. In children, audiometry is prescribed for delayed speech, unclear pronunciation and frequent requests to repeat. In older adults it is done when age-related changes in hearing are suspected that interfere with communication and telephone conversations. For patients after head injuries or operations on the ear, the check is prescribed to assess how the auditory system is working. If the indications are related to occupational risk, it is sensible to keep the results and show them to the doctor at the next examination.

When it is done and when it is postponed

How often it is repeated

The frequency of repeat audiometry is determined by the doctor, and it depends on the cause of the disorder and the rate of changes in hearing. In sudden hearing loss, the check may be repeated soon after observation begins in order to assess the dynamics. If the disorder is related to working in noise, the test is carried out regularly as part of mandatory medical examinations. For patients with already confirmed hearing loss, the check is prescribed as needed, when sensations change or the settings of hearing aids change. In children with delayed speech, follow-up tests are done more often, because the development of hearing affects the formation of speech. With a stable condition and no new complaints, the intervals between checks increase. Keeping the results in one folder helps the doctor to see the picture over time and to assess changes more accurately. If questions remain after the check, it is worth clarifying with the doctor when to plan the next one.

Audiometry in Astana: clinics and doctors

This section explains where audiometry is performed in Astana and how clinic profiles on the portal are structured. It brings together the doctors who provide appointments and the features that make it convenient to compare offers.

How many clinics offer the service

Audiometry in Astana is represented on the portal by profiles of clinics and doctors providing appointments in this area. Currently, the selection includes specialists you can consult with hearing complaints. The profiles show exactly where appointments are held, how to book and what conditions are stated by the clinic itself. Some facilities are located in the city centre, others in residential areas, and this is noticeable from the addresses in the profiles. Some doctors hold appointments only on weekdays, while others add Saturday hours, which can be seen in the schedule. Visitor reviews help to understand how appointments are organised and how attentively hearing issues are addressed. Before calling, it is worth checking the address, opening hours and availability of appointments so as not to travel in vain.

What to look at when choosing a clinic

• Equipment: ask what equipment is used for the examination, because this determines how detailed the result will be.
• Doctor's specialisation: an audiologist or otorhinolaryngologist with experience in hearing will interpret the result more accurately than a general practitioner.
• Schedule: check on which days and at what hours appointments are held, so you can see the right specialist without a long wait.
• Reviews: read not the rating but the description of the visit itself, as it shows how booking and appointments are organised at the clinic.
• Location: check how to get there and whether there are stops nearby, especially if you will be travelling with a child or an elderly relative.
• Booking: find out in advance whether an appointment is required and what documents to bring.

What is shown in a clinic profile

A clinic profile on the portal brings together the address, list of doctors, appointment schedule and visitor reviews in one place. The address is given with reference to the district, so you can immediately see how far it is to travel from home or work. The list of doctors marks the specialists who provide appointments for hearing issues, and each one indicates their area of practice. The schedule shows the days and hours when you can book, and helps you choose a convenient time without unnecessary calls. Reviews complete the picture: in them, visitors describe how the visit went and how they were received. If information is insufficient, it is worth calling the clinic and checking the details directly. Compare several profiles in a row to choose the right option by location, time and range of specialists.

How to book an appointment?

This section explains how to choose a convenient time for audiometry and submit a request, as well as what happens after it is sent. It describes the booking steps and what you will need to hand.

How to submit a request

A request for audiometry is made via a short form where you enter your name and phone number. First, choose a convenient day and time from the available options in the schedule. Then fill in the fields: your full name and a contact phone number. Registration on the portal is not required, so there is no need to enter extra data. After the form is submitted, the request goes for processing, and the patient waits for a response. Confirmation arrives as a message to the phone number provided. If the time does not suit you, you can choose another slot before submitting the form. Booking an appointment in Astana takes a few minutes if the data is entered correctly.

What happens after the request

What you will need to book

• Name: your full name must be entered in the form so that the administrator can correctly process the request and contact you if necessary.
• Phone: a valid mobile phone number to which confirmation and any clarifications about the visit time will be sent.
• Convenient time: choose a day and hour from the available slots so that the visit does not clash with work or other plans.
• A calm environment: fill in the form without rushing so as not to make a mistake in spelling your name and phone number.
• Checking the data: before submitting, re-read what you have entered, as correcting it after submission may take extra time.

What is worth remembering

Audimetry in Astana remains a test that is not replaced by either a conversation with a doctor or independent observations of hearing. Below are a few conclusions that help make a decision calmly and without unnecessary doubts.

Main conclusions

Audimetry in Astana provides an objective picture of hearing, rather than an approximate impression from one's own sensations. A person often notices the problem late, because the decline develops gradually and the brain gets used to the new volume level. Relatives, meanwhile, notice the changes earlier than the person themselves: asking again, a loud television, difficulties in a noisy company. Postponing the test is worth it in only one case — when it has already been prescribed by a doctor and a date has been set. If doubts have arisen on their own, it is more reasonable not to wait for deterioration, but to obtain accurate data on the state of hearing. The result of the test helps the doctor choose further tactics and not waste time on guesses. For a resident of Astana, this is also a way to preserve the usual rhythm of life, work and communication without constant strain. The main thing is to perceive audimetry as an ordinary diagnostic procedure, and not as a reason for anxiety.