There are seven different types of hearing tests. Each one is distinct in its function and procedure for detecting hearing loss. The tests that are right for you depend entirely on your personal hearing situation.
Pure-tone audiometry, also called pure-tone testing, is one of the most common hearing tests. You've probably had one in the past, and it could very well be one of the first examinations prescribed to you. That said, the term "hearing test" can be intimidating when you don't really know what to expect. In this article, we'll explain in more detail what pure-tone audiometry is and how it works.
What is pure-tone audiometry?
Pure-tone audiometry is an air conduction test that determines the softest sound you are able to hear at different frequencies and pitches. It plays sounds covering the speech spectrum (500 to 4,000 Hz) to determine if your hearing thresholds are within normal limits. This test can be subjective, as it is a behavioral measure of the hearing threshold: it relies on the patient's responses to sound stimuli. Therefore, it is not necessarily the most reliable test, as human error is possible if the patient does not follow instructions correctly. This is why pure-tone audiometry is reserved for adults and children who are able to cooperate during the examination.
How is pure-tone audiometry performed?
Pure-tone audiometry is simple and painless. You might remember when your hearing was tested at school. You were probably taken into a quiet room, given headphones, and asked to signal if you heard any sounds. Well, things haven't changed much since then. You will be seated in a quiet environment and given headphones. A hearing professional will select sounds, from softest to loudest, played through the headphones. Your role is to raise your hand, press a button, or say "yes" (the precise instructions will be given to you by the practitioner) after each sound you hear. If headphones cannot be worn for any reason, the sounds will be played through loudspeakers inside a soundproof booth, and the same signaling procedure will be followed. However, pure-tone audiometry performed with loudspeakers rather than headphones, known as "free-field audiometry," does not allow each ear to be tested independently. Your results will therefore be more useful if you can wear headphones.
What will pure-tone audiometry tell me?
Undergoing pure-tone audiometry will help your doctor refer you to the appropriate specialist: an audiologist — a healthcare professional trained in evaluating hearing loss and related disorders — or an otolaryngologist, a surgeon specializing in the eyes, ears, and throat.
The results are recorded on an audiogram in the form of a "pass" when hearing thresholds are within normal limits, or a "referral" in case of possible hearing loss, with a recommendation for re-screening and threshold measurement. These results will allow your doctor to determine the degree, type, and underlying cause of your hearing loss, and thus provide the basis for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Conclusion
Pure-tone audiometry is a simple and effective way to examine what frequencies your ears perceive at different pitches. It is one of the easiest hearing tests to perform, completely painless and non-invasive. This test is one of the last steps in determining the degree and underlying cause of your hearing loss: if you take it, you are just one step closer to hearing better! If your hearing loss is mild to severe, your doctor may recommend hearing aids; in that case, feel free to discover CLARIA's reliable and affordable products!
Thank you for reading, and here's to better hearing!
