Hearing Tests
Hearing Tests
Hearing tests, including pure-tone testing, speech testing, middle ear testing, and auditory brainstem response testing, are essential for determining the type and degree of your hearing loss. The certified audiologists at FYZICAL Souderton will perform a comprehensive hearing assessment to create an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Pure-Tone Testing
This test allows your audiologist to evaluate unilateral hearing loss (hearing lossin only one ear). It determines the faintest tones that you’re able to hear at a variety of pitches.
For this test, you sit in a specially designed sound booth wearing headphones. A series of tones will be played through the headphones, and every time you hear a tone, you will either press a button or raise your hand. Your results are recorded at the end of the test on an audiogram, which provides a visual representation of how well you can hear.
Puretone testing can evaluate children as young as 5 years old. In children younger than 5, the test needs to be modified to the child's ability. For example, children aged 2 to 5 years can be tested with conditioned play audiometry, which involves the child performing a task, such as stacking a block, every time they hear a tone.
For this test, you sit in a specially designed sound booth wearing headphones. A series of tones will be played through the headphones, and every time you hear a tone, you will either press a button or raise your hand. Your results are recorded at the end of the test on an audiogram, which provides a visual representation of how well you can hear.
Puretone testing can evaluate children as young as 5 years old. In children younger than 5, the test needs to be modified to the child's ability. For example, children aged 2 to 5 years can be tested with conditioned play audiometry, which involves the child performing a task, such as stacking a block, every time they hear a tone.
Speech Testing
This test allows your audiologist to measure your ability to understand speech. Your audiologist reads a list of words and then asks you to repeat the list of words back to them. Speech testing determines your speech reception threshold (SRT) and your word recognition score (WRS), which are recorded on your audiogram.
Middle Ear Testing
Middle ear testing includes tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing to determine how well your middle ear works. This testing is especially important in children, as they are prone to middle ear infections.
Tympanometry is an exam to determine if there is earwax or fluid buildup within the middle ear or a perforated eardrum. For this test, air is gently introduced into the ear and the amount the eardrum moves is measured and recorded on a tympanogram.
Acoustic reflex provides your audiologist with further information about the location of your hearing issue. The acoustic reflex is when a muscle in your middle ear contracts in response to hearing a loud sound. A probe is placed in your ear, and a range of tones is played to measure your acoustic reflex.
Tympanometry is an exam to determine if there is earwax or fluid buildup within the middle ear or a perforated eardrum. For this test, air is gently introduced into the ear and the amount the eardrum moves is measured and recorded on a tympanogram.
Acoustic reflex provides your audiologist with further information about the location of your hearing issue. The acoustic reflex is when a muscle in your middle ear contracts in response to hearing a loud sound. A probe is placed in your ear, and a range of tones is played to measure your acoustic reflex.
Benefits of Hearing Tests
Hearing tests help to detect and identify the cause, type, and degree of your hearing loss. This allows your audiologist to determine the best solution to improve your hearing and quality of life.
If you’re suffering from hearing loss, contact the certified audiologists at FYZICAL Souderton to receive a comprehensive hearing test and get started on the path toward better hearing.
If you’re suffering from hearing loss, contact the certified audiologists at FYZICAL Souderton to receive a comprehensive hearing test and get started on the path toward better hearing.
Auditory Brainstem Response
The auditory brainstem response (ABR) test provides your audiologist with information about how well your cochlea and auditory pathway are working. Electrodes are placed on your head to record brain activity while a series of tones is played.