Patient education: Audiometry (The Basics)

What is audiometry? — 

This is a test to check for hearing loss. It includes:

●An audiogram – This is also called "pure tone testing." It involves listening to sounds. It helps doctors figure out how much hearing loss a person has.

●Speech audiometry – This involves listening to spoken words. It helps doctors understand how well a person hears other people talk.

●Bone conduction – This uses a special tool called a "bone oscillator" that sends vibrations to the inner ear (figure 1). It helps doctors figure out what type of hearing loss a person has.

●Tympanometry – This uses air pressure to show doctors how well a person's eardrum works.

Why might I get audiometry? — 

Your doctor might order this test:

●To figure out if you have hearing loss – If you do have hearing loss, this test will help your doctor figure out:

•How much hearing loss you have

•What type of hearing loss you have – There are different types and causes.

●If you use a hearing device, like a hearing aid or cochlear implant – This test can check how well the device is working.

How do I prepare for audiometry? — 

The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare.

Before the test, your doctor will do an exam. They might:

●Remove earwax from your ears – Too much earwax can affect your hearing.

●Do hearing tests in the office – These can involve whispering and using special tools. These tests are not as accurate as audiometry. But they can help your doctor figure out what might be causing your hearing loss.

What happens during audiometry? — 

Audiometry is done by a hearing specialist, called an "audiologist."

The test has several parts:

●The audiogram – You sit in a soundproof room and put on a headset. The audiologist plays sounds at different volumes (loud and quiet) and tones (high and low) in 1 ear at a time. They ask you to react when you hear the sounds. Usually, you will raise your hand on the same side you heard the sound. In some cases, they might ask you to press buttons instead.

●Speech audiometry – This is also done in a soundproof room with a headset. The audiologist plays words into the headphones and asks you to repeat what you hear.

●Bone conduction – You do not need to do anything for this part of the test. The audiologist places a bone oscillator against your head, just behind your ear. You will feel a little buzzing near where they place the tool.

●Tympanometry – You do not need to do anything for this part of the test. The audiologist uses a special tool to gently push air in and out of your ear. You might feel some pressure inside your ear.

What do my results mean? — 

Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your results, and will contact you with the results. Or if you use an online "patient portal," you might get an alert there when your results are ready.

If your audiometry shows any hearing loss, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to do next. They might need to do more tests to figure out the cause.

If you have a health problem, your doctor will work with you to come up with a treatment plan.

More on this topic

Patient education: Hearing loss in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) (The Basics)
Patient education: Hearing loss in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Screening for hearing loss in newborns (The Basics)