A Guide to Hearing Tests

Hearing tests include a number of different tests, which are all designed to assess a part of your hearing health. Each test is conducted in a way to check the health of your ears or the function of certain parts of your auditory system. When you see an audiologist, they won't necessarily carry out every test that is available. Some hearing tests are more common than others, particularly when assessing more "standard" types of hearing loss. If you think that you might have some hearing loss or you would just like to check the health of your hearing, take a look at this guide that will help you to understand how hearing tests work.

Physical examination

The first thing that an audiologist will do is check the health of your ears with a visual examination. They will use an instrument called an otoscope to look into your ears and check for any signs of injury, blockage, or infection.

Pure tone audiometry

This type of hearing test will almost definitely be carried out by an audiologist when you have a hearing test, particularly if it's your first time. The test is designed to measure your range of hearing using air conduction – that is, sounds played through headphones into your ears (as opposed to bone conduction). You will wear headphones while the audiologist plays tones at different pitches and volumes. When you hear a sound, you will either press a button or raise your hand. The sounds that you respond to will be shown on an audiogram, a graph that will show your range of hearing.

Speech testing

Speech testing will often be carried out along with pure tone testing. It tests your ability to understand speech, both in quiet environments and when there is background noise. If you have hearing loss, being unable to understand people when they're talking can be one of the first problems that you experience. Speech testing helps to create a fuller picture of how hearing loss might be affecting you.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is a type of hearing test that checks the health and function of the eardrum (tympanum). It is also sometimes conducted along with other tests to check the health of the middle ear. It can detect wax or fluid buildup behind the eardrum, perforated eardrums, tumors in the middle ear, and damage to one of the small bones in the ear. Pressure is introduced into the ear canal to see how the eardrum responds and whether it does so in a healthy way.

Results of your hearing test

After you have had your hearing tested, the audiologist will discuss the results with you. The pure tone audiometry results will be on a graph called an audiogram, which will show your range of hearing in both pitch and volume, with separate lines for each ear. You can discuss what the results mean and what your next step might be, including looking at hearing aids.

There's no need to wait until you notice possible signs of hearing loss to get your hearing tested. An audiologist can test your hearing as a routine health checkup.