Self-diagnosing hearing loss is virtually impossible. As an example, you can’t really assess your level of hearing by merely putting your ear near a speaker. So getting your hearing tested will be vital in understanding what’s happening with your hearing.
But there’s no need to worry or stress because a hearing test is about as simple as putting on a high-tech pair of headphones.
Alright, tests aren’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. Whether you’re a high school student or middle-aged medical patient, tests are just generally no fun. You will be more relaxed and more ready if you take a little time to get to know these tests. There’s virtually no test easier to take than a hearing test!
How is a hearing test done?
We frequently talk about making an appointment with a hearing specialist to have your hearing tested. And the phrase “hearing test” is something we’ve probably talked about from time to time. You may 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 types of hearing tests, as it turns out. Each of these tests will give you a particular result and is created to measure something different. Here are some of the hearing tests you’re likely to encounter:
- Pure-tone audiometry: This is the hearing test you’re probably most aware of. You wear some headphones and you listen for a sound. Hear a tone in your right ear? Raise your right hand. Hear the tone in your left ear? Same thing! With this, we can establish which frequencies and volumes of sound you can hear. It will also measure whether you have more significant hearing loss in one ear than the other.
- Speech audiometry: In some cases, you can hear tones very well, but hearing speech remains somewhat of a challenge. That’s because speech is generally more complex! This test also consists of a set of headphones in a quiet room. 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: Needless to say, conversations in real-time 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 can help you determine how well your hearing is working in real-world scenarios.
- Bone conduction testing: How well your inner ear is working will be determined by this test. A small sensor is placed next to your cochlea and another is placed on your forehead. Sound is then sent through a small device. This test assesses how well those sound vibrations move through your inner ear. If this test establishes that sound is traveling through your ear effectively it may indicate that you have a blockage.
- Tympanometry: The general health of your eardrum sometimes needs to be tested. Tympanometry is a test that is utilized for this purpose. During this test, a small device will gently push air into your ear and measure exactly 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 delivers sound to your ear and measures the muscle feedback of your inner ear. The reflexive reaction of the muscle movement of your inner ear will help us identify how well it’s working.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): The ability of your inner ear and brain to react to sound is measured by an ABR test. To accomplish this test, a couple of electrodes are strategically placed on 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 diagnostic is made to measure how well your cochlea and inner ear are working. This is achieved by tracking 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?
You probably won’t have to get all of these hearing tests. We will select 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 uncover the cause of your hearing loss. The hearing test you get can, in other cases, simply help us rule out other causes. Ultimately, we will get to the bottom of any hearing loss symptoms you are experiencing.
Here are some things that your hearing test can reveal:
- How severe your hearing loss is (or, if you’ve taken numerous tests over the years, how your hearing loss may have progressed).
- Whether you’re experiencing symptoms associated with hearing loss or hearing loss itself.
- Which wavelengths of sound you have the hardest time hearing (some people have a hard time hearing high frequencies; others have a hard time hearing low pitches).
- Which treatment strategy is best for your hearing loss: Once we’ve determined the cause of your hearing loss, we’ll be able to more effectively provide treatment solutions.
Is there a difference between a hearing screening and a hearing test? It’s kind of like the difference between a quiz and a test. A screening is really superficial. A test is made to provide usable data.
It’s best to get tested as soon as you can
That’s why it’s essential to schedule a hearing test when you first notice symptoms. Relax, you won’t have to study, and the test isn’t stressful. Nor are hearing tests intrusive or generally unpleasant. 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.
Which means hearing tests are pretty easy, all you need to do is schedule them.
