A hearing assessment, which a number of Audiologists carry out to check for Hearing Loss, consists of a number of separate tests in order to check the functioning of each ear.
Visual Ear Inspection
As you can expect, the first part of your assessment will involve the Audiologist inspecting your ear(s) using an otoscope. This enables them to check for any wax build up, signs of infection, or even a perforated eardrum. All of these can cause permanent hearing loss and therefore must be checked prior to undertaking any hearing tests.
Pure-Tone Audiometry
The Pure-Tone Test is a simple test to find out the quietest sound you can hear at each different frequency. You sit in a soundproof booth and wear a pair of headphones through which the audiologist speaks to you and plays different sounds of varying pitch and loudness. You press a button as soon as you hear the sound.
Bone Conduction Testing
The assessment of bone conduction hearing uses a small vibrator to be placed behind the ear, which conducts sound directly to the inner ear of the test person. Thus, outer or middle ear problems are clearly distinguished from problems of the inner ear.
Speech Recognition
Instead of tones being played for you to detect, you are asked to repeat words, which are then spoken at varying volumes. This test determines how well a person with hearing loss can understand spoken words.
Reading the Audiogram
Your results are then plotted on an audiogram (hearing test results graph) which enables the Audiologist to assess the degree of hearing loss (how severe it is). The results can be used to determine whether hearing aids would be of benefit or if a referral to another specialist is required. More on Audiologist Bristol can be found at //www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/bristol.
Together the tests provide the Audiologist with all the information required to diagnose hearing loss and recommend suitable treatment or hearing aids.
