What a Hearing Test Usually Includes

The steps to a hearing test explained! If you are in any doubt as to what happens at a hearing appointment, this will hopefully give you a better understanding and alleviate any concern that you may have had.

Questions About Your Hearing History

The clinician may ask you when your hearing changes first occurred. He or she may ask for a history of ear problems (e.g. otitis media), and describe situations that are difficult for you (e.g. dining in a noisy restaurant, telephone conversation, watching TV).

A Look Inside the Ear Canal

The audiologist uses an otoscope (a small handheld light) to take a look inside your ear canal. If there is excess wax for example, the test may need to be postponed until this has been cleared.

The Pure-Tone Beep Test

Most hearing tests are conducted in a soundproof room with you wearing headphones. For pure-tone testing you press a button every time you hear a beep. This test shows the quietest sounds that your ears can detect for different frequencies or pitches. The NHS has a page explaining how pure-tone audiometry works and the results of such testing.

Speech-in-Noise Testing

For speech-in-noise testing, you will listen to speech in the presence of competing background noise, for example other people talking or a television playing. You will be asked to repeat back what you have heard. This test is not normally included in any hearing screening test and provides important information about how you would expect to manage in different situations.

Reading Your Audiogram

Your results are plotted on an audiogram chart which shows your hearing threshold levels for different frequencies. Your audiologist will then explain your results in more detail and describe the nature and degree of any hearing loss you may have.

Next Steps and Recommendations

Even if you searched for ‘Hearing Test Near Me’, a hearing test appointment typically consists of more than just a quick screening.

If you are looking for Hearing Test Near Me, see https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/.

By understanding the various stages involved in your hearing appointment you will be able to concentrate on your results rather than worrying about the process involved.