The process of a hearing test

A hearing test, performed by an audiologist, thoroughly checks your hearing ability, identifying any potential hearing loss, its type, severity, and sometimes its cause.

The process begins with the audiologist discussing your hearing history and visually examining your ears (otoscopy) to ensure they’re clear.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

Key tests include:

Pure-Tone Audiometry

This measures how well sound travels through your ear (air conduction) and directly to your inner ear via a bone vibrator (bone conduction). Results are plotted on an audiogram.

Speech Audiometry

This assesses your ability to hear and understand spoken words at different volumes, crucial for real-world communication.

Tympanometry

A probe in your ear measures eardrum movement, checking for issues like fluid or perforations in the middle ear.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

This test checks the function of tiny hair cells in your inner ear by recording faint echoes they produce. It’s often used for newborn screenings.

Auditory Brainstem Response

Used for those who can’t respond to sounds (like infants), this test measures brain activity in response to sounds via electrodes.