Hearing loss differs among individuals in type and scope. Some people are unable to hear low-pitched sounds, while others can’t hear high-pitched sounds. Regardless of the nature of the hearing loss, it can significantly affect a person’s health and quality of life. In some cases, the hearing loss progresses very gradually such that it becomes difficult to detect the change in hearing along the way. Therefore, it is important to get a hearing test as soon as you notice changes in your hearing. Catching the hearing loss early can help you get the hearing aid you need as soon as possible. At Livingston Hearing Aid Center, we offer various hearing aid solutions to improve your hearing issue.
What a Hearing Test Does
A hearing test measures the sensitivity of an individual’s hearing over a wide range of speech. An audiogram, which is administered by an audiologist, tests whether the person can hear the quietest sound that humans can hear over multiple points of a speech range.
Common Types of Hearing Tests
Generally, a hearing test is performed in a quiet room or even a small chamber or soundproof booth. Often, the patient will be given noise-canceling earmuffs or headphones to wear during the test.
As the test-taker, you will hear a series of low to high tones through the headphones. When you hear a tone, you will be asked to provide a response, such as pressing a button or giving a signal or gesture of some type. A report is generated from the results of this test which is technically referred to as pure tone audiometry.
There are two other common tests that may be given along with the first basic test described above. The first is called audiometry. During this test, human speech is played at various pitches and volumes. If you hear a person talking, you will be asked to provide a response as was required in the first test and to repeat the speech you heard.
The second test is referred to as tympanometry. It measures your auditory reflexes through the application of bursts of air pressure on the ear. This test helps determine the degree to which the test-taker responds to sound changes.
For information about the hearing aid products we offer at Livingston Hearing Aid Center, review our website or call us at 866.842.2441.
