3 Different Types of Hearing Tests

When you visit an audiologist for hearing loss, they will be able to carry out various hearing tests to ensure that your ears are functioning at a regular level. There are a variety of hearing tests that can be performed to check whether there are underlying issues as to why you are struggling to hear. So here are three different types that you are likely to come across when you visit your audiologist.

Speech Testing

This is a good way to gauge your response to sounds around you. You will be seated in a room and given noise-canceling headphones. The audiologist will then say a series of words to you which you will then need to repeat. There could also be background noises played as well to turn it into a more realistic scenario.

This test will help the audiologist see how quickly and swiftly you respond to speech when you are in a noisy environment. The more you can repeat back to the audiologist the less likely you are to have hearing issues.

Audiometry Test

An audiometry test is when the audiologist is looking to see how you respond to a variety of sounds. Very similar to the speech test, you will be given a pair of headphones and instead of repeating the words back to your audiologist they are looking to see if you can hear the variety of sounds that they play to you. They may ask you to raise your hand or press a buzzer when you hear the sound that is being played to you. There will be a variety of different sounds played, varying in pitch, loudness and intensity.

This helps to build a better picture of whether you struggle to hear any sounds or just those that are further away and much quieter.

Bone Conduction Testing

For a bone conduction test you are likely to be placed in a quiet room with a small device fitted on the back of your ear. This little device will help determine whether you are able to hear sounds when they vibrate through your ear bone. It is called an oscillator and it sends waves to the inner part of your ear to see whether there is an underlying issue. The audiologist will make notes of how quickly and frequently you are able to hear the variety of sounds that are played to you and will test both ears.

These hearing tests are designed to be effective and non-invasive ways to test your hearing capability. Your audiologist will talk you through how the hearing test will be conducted and when you will need to respond either visually or verbally. They can be really useful ways to explore your hearing capabilities and determine whether you need hearing aids fitted.