Many Americans live with undiagnosed hearing loss . Undiagnosed hearing problems can lead to secondary and tertiary health issues such as depression, isolation, and regression. Anyone who suspects they may have hearing loss should consult an audiologist to get hearing loss testing done. A patient can undergo many tests, including the following:
- Pure-tone testing
- Middle ear tests
- Auditory Brainstem Response
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Speech testing
WHAT IS PURE-TONE TESTING?
Pure-tone testing uses air conduction to determine the faintest sounds a person can hear at different pitches or frequencies. An audiologist will choose the right pitch for each patient. The patient is required to wear earphones during the test so data can be collected from each ear. For example, if a child refuses to wear earphones, the sound will be heard through speakers in a booth. Sound-field screening is a specific type of pure tone testing. It does not test each ear separately.
The pure-tone test will ask the patient to respond to sounds by pressing a button, raising a hand or saying “yes” when they are heard.
Sometimes, a special version of pure-tone testing is required. Pure-tone bone conduction testing can be used when earwax, fluid or other obstructions are present. The vibrations will allow sound to bypass the blockage. Vibrations will transmit the signal directly to the inner ear. Pure-tone bone testing can measure the inner ear’s response. These measurements can be used to help an audiologist determine what type of hearing loss a person has.
Each test serves a different purpose, to provide the audiologist with more information to help determine the severity and type of hearing loss.
VISIT AN AUDIOLOGIST
An appointment with an audiologist is necessary if you believe you may have hearing loss. An audiologist will ask you for information about your health and list any medications you take. The audiologist will conduct hearing tests and perform a physical examination of the ears. They are happy to answer your questions about the treatment or testing process.
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