3 Different Types of Hearing Tests

If you’ve been sent for a hearing test you might be under the impression that it’s a one size fits all experience – but that is not the case. Actually, there are several different types of audiology tests that can be used intelligently by the audiologist to determine the best course of action. The most common hearing tests are listed and described below, including the pure-tone test, the tympanometry test and the bone conduction test. These tests can be applied on their own or work together to assess the true condition of your hearing.

Pure-Tone Testing

The pure-tone testing is the most common type of test you will encounter at an audiologist’s office. This test is designed to measure your hearing abilities in both ears and to test the baseline level of your hearing. The test is straightforward and non-invasive. You will be shown into a soundproof room and asked to take a seat. You will put on a pair of headphones. In front of you will be one or two buttons. The audiologist will give you some simple instructions then process to play pure sound tones into your ears using an audiometer. This measures your current hearing.

Tympanometry

The tympanometry test is an audiology test designed specifically for the eardrum. It tests the condition of the eardrum and its effectiveness. The eardrum is situated in the middle ear. It is a flap of skin that’s stretched tightly over the ear canal. The eardrum amplifies soundwaves using three tiny bones called ossicles. In the tympanometry test, your ears will be plugged and air pressure is used to determine the condition of the eardrum. Since sound is typically able to pass through the eardrum freely, this test will detect if any obstacles to this could be contributing to your hearing issues.

Bone Conduction Test

Some hearing loss is caused by sensorineural conditions like damage to the inner ear and auditory nerves. If your audiologist suspects you might experience a condition related to the inner ear or auditory nerves they might conduct a bone conduction test. This is similar to a standard tuning fork test. Your audiologist will place a tuning fork on the bone behind your ear. This fork will vibrate gently and pass soundwaves through your outer and middle ear. Your audiologist might also ask you some questions to determine the extent of your hearing ability. Your medical professional might send you for a hearing test but they might not tell you what kind of test you will have. That will leave you with the assumption that there is only one type of test and you may be ill-prepared for your appointment. There are many types of hearing tests, these include pure tone, tympanometry and bone conduction. These three tests are the most common auditory tests that you might encounter at your appointment. The pure tone test takes a baseline reading of your hearing ability, while the tympanometry test concentrates on the eardrum – finally, the bone conduction test measures your outer and middle ear.