What Types of Hearing Tests do Audiologists Perform?

The purpose of the hearing test is clear enough. When you go to your audiologist for one, you likely understand the motive, but what about the method? There is a range of tests that your audiologist can perform in order to learn more about your hearing health. They can learn more about the cause, severity, and specific mechanics within the ear affected through a range of tests. Here, we’re going to look a little more closely at the tests they tend to employ most often and what they can help you find out.

The pure-tone test

Hearing loss is not as simple as being able to hear less. Different parts of your hearing range are likely to be affected differently from other people. As such, the tone test is designed to look closer at that entire range. This involves wearing a pair of headphones while your audiologist plays sounds, varying in pitch, frequency, and volume. When you hear it, you will be asked to respond, either by nodding, saying something or by pressing a button. Once the test is complete in one ear, they head to the other.

The speech test

One of the first recognizable signs of hearing loss is that you start to have difficulty understanding speech. Some people may have trouble understanding language in certain environments or may be less able to hear high-pitched voices, such as some women’s and children’s voices. Just like the tone test, your capacity for hearing and comprehending speech is tested by playing it through headphones. It most often involves recorded speech, but sometimes the audiologist will speak to you directly. The voices can vary in pitch, volume, background noise, and more. You will be asked to verify what you heard by repeating it. Combined with the tone test, this helps the audiologist complete an audiogram, which shows you the entire hearing range.

Tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests

Not as common as the other tests, these are only carried out if the audiologist has reason to suspect that middle ear problems are causing your potential hearing loss. Tympanometry is a test in which the audiologist carefully pushes a tiny probe into the ear and uses it to adjust the ear pressure. This helps test your eardrum sensitivity and to diagnose potential punctures. Acoustic reflex measuring instead looks at the acoustic reflex muscles and how they respond when the ear is exposed to noise. Both tests are relatively painless and can help the audiologist pinpoint the physical causes of hearing problems you may be experiencing.

Your audiologist brings a wealth of knowledge that can help them diagnose hearing loss, as well as to help you find the potential causes of any hearing problems you may be experiencing. Which ones they use will depend largely on the visual examination, your hearing and general health history, as well as any symptoms you might be concerned about. However, don’t hesitate to ask your audiologist to explain a test if you’re unfamiliar with it. Helping you feel comfortable with your treatment is a primary concern.