Hearing tests come in various forms, and each one targets a specific part of the ear. These tests help determine your current hearing ability and identify whether any treatment is necessary.
What are the different methods?
At Hear4U, we use the following types of hearing test:
- Otoscopy –
We begin by examining your ear canal using an otoscope (sometimes called an auriscope)—a slim tube with a magnifying lens. This helps us check for earwax buildup, obstructions, or issues with your ear canal or eardrum. You’ll then view the results on a screen, either via iPod or TV, depending on the equipment used.
- Tympanometry –
This test checks how well your eardrum responds to gentle air pressure. It helps identify issues like excess fluid, infection, or eustachian tube dysfunction that might affect eardrum mobility.
- Audiometry –
Audiometry measures the softest sounds you can hear. You’ll wear headphones to complete an air conduction test. We’ll direct different sounds to each ear individually. Then, we’ll conduct a bone conduction test using a small vibrator placed behind your ear on the mastoid bone. This stimulates the inner ear directly to assess hearing function.
- Word recognition test –
Also called a speech discrimination test, this evaluates how well you understand speech in noisy environments. If you struggle with speech perception, voices may sound unclear or garbled. Word recognition scores help us predict how effective a hearing aid would be, and guide us in recommending the right level of technology.
How are the results measured?
We record your hearing test results on an audiogram, a graph that shows the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. It’s laid out like a piano keyboard, with low to high pitches moving from left to right (125Hz to 8000Hz). Quiet sounds appear at the top, and loud ones at the bottom (-10 dBHL to 120 dBHL).
Once we’ve completed the test, we mark the graph:
- An “X” shows the softest sounds heard in your left ear
- An “O” shows those heard in your right ear
This process is known as the air conduction test using headphones. If your hearing is within the normal range, your chart will reflect that.
What are the types of hearing loss?
Mild Hearing Loss is between 25dB and 40dB. You would often have difficulty following speech, especially in noisy situations. This type of loss is often noticed by family first rather than yourself.
Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss is between 41dB and 70dB. You often have difficulty following speech and other quiet noises.
Severe Hearing Loss is between 71dB – 90dB. You are unable to hear speech even in quiet surroundings and do not hear general noises such as traffic unless it’s loud.
Profound Hearing Loss is greater than 90dB. You are unable to hear most sounds unless they are really loud.
There are other, more specific types of loss:
- Sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness
- Conductive hearing loss
- Mild hearing loss
- Moderate hearing loss
- Severe/Profound hearing loss
If your results fall below the “normal” hearing levels in the above graph, then our Audiologist will explain the loss in more detail, as well as going on to do further tests.
A key example being our LiSN-S Speech Recognition test, which analyzes your ability to hear a conversation in the presence of background noise. If you need hearing aids, this will help us to establish what level of technology is best for you. The test involves you wearing headphones and listening to a series of short sentences, which you then have to try and repeat in order to see how your hearing is affected in noisy surroundings.
No matter how severe or otherwise your hearing loss, Hear4U are on hand to help. As specialized audiologist with decades of expertise, we deal with each and every type on a daily basis. What’s more, our customized solutions are tailor-made for each individual, meaning that you get the care and aftercare you need, every time – no exceptions.
