Hearing loss is difficult, if not impossible, to diagnose by yourself. For example, you can’t actually put your ear up to a speaker and effectively measure what you hear. So getting your hearing tested will be vital in understanding what’s happening with your hearing.
But there’s no need to be concerned or stress out because a hearing test is about as simple as putting on a high-tech set of headphones.
But we get it, no one likes tests. Whether you’re a student or middle-aged medical patient, tests are really just no fun. Taking some time to become familiar with these tests can help you feel more prepared and, as a result, more comfortable. There’s almost no test easier to take than a hearing test!
How is a hearing test performed?
We frequently talk about making an appointment with a hearing specialist to have your ears tested. And we’ve probably used the phrase “hearing test” once or twice. You might even be thinking, well, what are the 2 types of hearing tests?
Well, that’s not completely accurate. Because you might undergo a number of different kinds of hearing tests, as it turns out. Each one is designed to measure something different or provide you with a specific result. Here are a few of the hearing tests you’re likely to encounter:
- Pure-tone audiometry: Most people are most likely familiar with this hearing test. You wear some headphones and you listen for a sound. You simply raise your right hand if you hear a tone in your right ear, and if you hear a tone in your left ear you put up your left hand. This will test how well you hear a variety of frequencies at a variety of volumes. And if you have more profound hearing loss in one ear, this test will also determine that.
- Speech audiometry: Sometimes, you’re able to hear tones very well, but hearing speech remains somewhat challenging. That’s because speech is typically more complex! During a speech audiometry test, you’ll be led into a quiet room and will, again, be instructed to put on some headphones. You will listen to speech at various volumes to determine the lowest level you can hear words and clearly comprehend them.
- Speech and Noise-in-Words Tests: Naturally, real-world conversations rarely occur in a vacuum. The only actual difference between this test and the Speech audiometry test is that it is performed in a noisy setting. This mimics real-world situations to help figure out how your hearing is working in those settings.
- Bone conduction testing: This diagnostic is created to measure the function of your inner ear. Two little sensors are placed, one on your forehead, and one on your cochlea. A small device then receives sounds. How effectively sound vibrations move through the ear is tracked by this test. This test can often identify whether there is a blockage in your ear (ex: if you can’t hear, but your inner ear is working fine there may be some sort of obstruction hindering the sounds).
- Tympanometry: Occasionally, we’ll want to test the overall health of your eardrum. Tympanometry is a test that is used for this purpose. During this test, a small device will gently push air into your ear and measure just how much your eardrum moves. If you have fluid behind your eardrum, or a hole in your eardrum, this is the test that will reveal that.
- Acoustic Reflex Measures: During this test, a tiny device supplies sound to your ear and measures the muscle response of your inner ear. It all occurs by reflex, which means that your muscle movements can reveal a lot about how well your middle ear is working.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): The ability of your inner ear and brain to respond to sound is measured by an ABR test. This is achieved by placing a couple of tactically placed electrodes on the outside of your skull. Don’t worry, though! This test is completely painless. That’s why people from newborns to grandparents get this test.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing: This diagnostic is designed to determine how well your cochlea and inner ear are working. This is achieved by measuring sound that echo’s back to your middle ear from your inner ear. This can identify whether your cochlea is working or, in some situations, if your ear is blocked.
What do the results of hearing tests reveal?
It’s likely, you usually won’t undergo every single one of these hearing tests. Usually, your specific symptoms will determine which of these tests will be relevant.
When we do a hearing test, what are we looking for? Well, in some cases the tests you take will reveal the root cause of your hearing loss. The hearing test you take can, in other cases, simply help us rule out other causes. Essentially, we will get to the bottom of any hearing loss symptoms you are noticing.
Generally, your hearing test will reveal:
- Whether your hearing loss is in a particular frequency range.
- The best approach for treating your hearing loss: Once we’ve established what’s causing your hearing loss, we’ll be able to more successfully offer treatment options.
- Whether you are dealing with hearing loss or experiencing the symptoms related to hearing loss.
- How profound your hearing loss is (or, if you’ve had multiple tests over the years, how your hearing loss might have progressed).
Is there a difference between a hearing screening and a hearing test? The difference between a quiz and a test is an apt analogy. A screening is rather superficial. A test is a lot more in-depth and can provide usable information.
It’s best to get a hearing test as soon as possible
So as soon as you notice symptoms, you should schedule a hearing test. Don’t worry, this test isn’t going to be very stressful, and you won’t have to study. And the tests aren’t unpleasant or intrusive. If you’re wondering, what should I not do before you get a hearing test, don’t worry, we will have all of that information for you.
It’s easy, just call and schedule an appointment.