What is Audiometry?-Tests on Your Audiogram
What is audiometry? Well, in this post I’ll discuss hearing testing and how to find a hearing healthcare provider. Coming up!
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Hi, I’m Dr. Derek, audiologist with ProFitHearing.com bringing you the best insight into today’s latest hearing aids and audio technology to improve your life! If you have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
Welcome to Question of the Day, Friday where I answer your hearing healthcare and audio technology question.
What is Audiometry?
Today, I’m talking about audiometry. Audiometry is just another word for a hearing test. Your audiologist measures hearing in a quiet sound booth. A hearing test consists of speech audiometry and puretone audiometry. So if you’ve never had a hearing test before, your audiologist will ask you questions related to your hearing and any hearing concerns.
After taking a case history, otoscopy is next. The audiologist will look inside your ears to make sure there is no earwax, eardrum perforation, or signs of ear infection. Next some screening tests like tympanometry will look for possible middle ear fluid or abnormal middle ear bone function. Also, acoustic reflexes are often performed as a screen for possible hearing loss or abnormal hearing nerve function.
Speech Audiometry
After completing some of these preliminary tests, your provider will likely begin speech audiometry. You will be asked to repeat back very soft words to find your speech reception threshold (or SRT). This is the softest volume at which you can understand simple words. Additional words are then presented at a louder, comfortable level to determine how many words you understand in a quiet environment.
Puretone Audiometry
Puretone audiometry is when you respond to soft sounds. You will be asked to either press a button or raise your hand whenever you hear the soft beeps. The beeps range from low to high pitches. Testing is completed with headphones and a small bone conduction headset that rests behind your ear. This determines whether any hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural.
Your audiologist can tell you whether you have hearing loss and if hearing aids are appropriate. Your audiometry results are written down on a graph called an audiogram. The audiogram will guide the audiologist in adjusting the hearing aid settings. Hearing aids are fine tuned to hearing loss, so if there is more hearing loss in the high pitched sounds emphasis can be placed there to improve speech understanding and clarity of words.
Audiologist Directory
Make sure to check out the link in the description below for the audiologist directory, so that you can find a provider in your area. An audiologist can evaluate and treat patients with hearing and balance disorders. The link will take you to the American Academy of Audiology provider directory.
https://memberportal.audiology.org/Directories/Find-an-Audiologist
Question of the Day
So for today’s question, have you had an audiometry test? If so, how was your experience? I’d love to know your thoughts, so please comment below. Do you have a question you’d like answered on Question of the Day, Friday? Let’s connect in the comments below.
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Remember, Pro Fit Hearing brings you the best insight into today’s latest hearing aids and audio technology to improve your life! We connect you to the best technology for your needs. If you have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
-Dr. Derek