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3 Different Types of Hearing Tests
If you’ve been struggling to hear conversations, asking people to repeat themselves or feel like sounds aren’t as clear as they once were, it might be time for a hearing test. A hearing test with an audiologist is a great first step to understanding what’s happening with your hearing. Many people don’t realize how much their hearing has changed until they get tested, and this process can bring clarity to any challenges you might be facing. These results help pinpoint any issues and are essential for creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Pure-Tone Audiometry
A pure-tone audiometry test measures a person’s ability to hear different pitches and volumes of sounds. During the test, a person listens to a series of beeps or tones through headphones and indicates each time they hear a sound. This test is commonly used for anyone who might have hearing loss, as it helps identify the specific range of sounds they may struggle to hear. Pure-tone audiometry provides detailed information about a person’s hearing thresholds, showing the quietest sounds they can detect at various frequencies. Your audiologist will use these results to understand the type and degree of hearing loss. This information is essential for creating an effective treatment plan, which may include hearing aids or other hearing solutions.
Speech Audiometry
Speech audiometry is an essential hearing test that evaluates how well a person can hear and understand spoken words. Unlike pure-tone tests that use single sounds, this test involves listening to spoken words or sentences and then repeating them. The audiologist assesses two main factors: the speech reception threshold (SRT), which shows the quietest level at which speech can be understood, and the word recognition score (WRS), indicating how accurately words are repeated at a comfortable volume. These results provide important insights into how hearing loss may affect communication in real-world situations, particularly in places with background noise.
Tympanometry
tympanometry test is a hearing test that checks how well the middle ear is working. It measures how the eardrum moves in response to changes in air pressure, which can help identify issues like fluid buildup, ear infections, or problems with the tiny bones in the middle ear. During the test, a small device is placed in the ear, which gently changes air pressure while recording how the eardrum reacts. Tympanometry is often recommended for people who have symptoms like hearing loss, ear pain, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. It’s a quick, painless test that provides important information for diagnosing middle ear problems. Results from tympanometry can help an audiologist or doctor determine the best treatment options if any issues are found.
Understanding the different types of hearing tests can help you feel more informed and prepared when you visit your audiologist. Your audiologist may run you through a few different tests to understand the extent of your hearing loss and what type of hearing loss you have. This allows them to find the right treatment plan for you. If you have noticed any changes to your hearing, schedule an appointment with an audiologist.
