Hearing loss is difficult, if not impossible, to self-diagnose. As an example, you can’t really measure your level of hearing by merely putting your ear next to a speaker. So getting a hearing test will be vital in figuring out what’s happening with your hearing.
But there’s no need to worry or stress because a hearing test is about as straightforward as putting on a high-tech pair of headphones.
But we get it, people don’t like tests. Whether you’re a high school student or middle-aged medical patient, tests are really just no fun. Taking some time to get to know these tests can help you feel more prepared and, therefore, more comfortable. There’s almost no test easier to take than a hearing test!
What is a hearing test like?
Talking about making an appointment to have a hearing test is something that is not that uncommon. And we’ve probably used the phrase “hearing test” once or twice. You might even be thinking, well, what are the two types of hearing tests?
Well, that’s not exactly accurate. Because it turns out there are a number of different hearing tests you might undergo. Each of these tests will provide you with a particular result and is created to measure something different. Here are a few of the hearing tests you’re likely to experience:
- Pure-tone audiometry: Most people are most likely familiar with this hearing test. You listen for a tone on a pair of headphones. Hear a pitch in your right ear? Raise your right hand. Hear the pitch in your left ear? Same thing! 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: In some cases, you can hear tones really well, but hearing speech is still something of a challenge. That’s because speech is generally more complex! During a speech audiometry test, you’ll be led into a quiet room and will, again, be directed to don some headphones. Instead of making you listen to tones, this test will consist of audible speech at different volumes to identify the lowest level you can hear a word and still understand it.
- Speech and Noise-in-Words Tests: Obviously, conversations in the real world occur in settings where there are other sounds. The only actual difference between this test and the Speech audiometry test is that it is carried out in a noisy setting. This mimics real-world situations to help figure out how your hearing is working in those settings.
- Bone conduction testing: How well your inner ear is working will be determined by this test. A little sensor is placed near your cochlea and another is put on your forehead. Sound is then transmitted through a small device. How effectively sound vibrations travel through the ear is tracked by this test. If this test determines that sound is traveling through your ear effectively it may indicate that you have a blockage.
- Tympanometry: Sometimes, we’ll want to test the general health of your eardrum. This is done using a test called tympanometry. During this test, a little 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 detect that.
- Acoustic Reflex Measures: During this test, a tiny device supplies sound to your ear and measures the muscle feedback of your inner ear. It all occurs by reflex, which means that your muscle movements can tell us a lot about how well your middle ear is functioning.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): An ABR test tries to measure how well the brain and inner ear are responding to sound. This is accomplished by placing a couple of tactically placed electrodes on the outside of your skull. This test is entirely painless so don’t worry. That’s why everyone from newborns to grandparents get this test.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing: This kind of testing will help determine if your inner ear and cochlea are working properly. 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 cases, if your ear is blocked.
What can we learn from hearing test results?
It’s likely, you probably won’t undergo every single one of these hearing tests. We will choose one or two tests that best suit your symptoms and then go from there.
When we do a hearing test, what are we looking for? A hearing test can sometimes reveal the cause of your hearing loss. In other circumstances, the test you take may just rule out other possible causes. Ultimately, we will get to the bottom of any hearing loss symptoms you are noticing.
Here are a few things that your hearing test can reveal:
- Whether you’re experiencing symptoms related to hearing loss or hearing loss itself.
- Which treatment approach is best for your hearing loss: Once we’ve established the cause of your hearing loss, we’ll be able to more successfully offer treatment solutions.
- Which frequency of sound you have the most difficult time hearing (some individuals have a hard time hearing high frequencies; other people have a difficult time hearing low sounds).
- How much your hearing loss has progressed and how severe it is.
What’s the difference between a hearing test and a hearing screening? The difference between a quiz and a test is a good analogy. A screening is rather superficial. A test is made to provide usable information.
The sooner you take this test, the better
That’s why it’s important to schedule a hearing test as soon as you notice symptoms. Don’t worry, this test won’t be very stressful, and you don’t need to study. Nor are hearing tests intrusive or generally unpleasant. If you’re wondering, what should I not do before a hearing test, don’t worry, we will provide you with all of that information.
Which means hearing tests are fairly easy, all you need to do is schedule them.