A hearing test provides a measurement of the sensitivity of a person’s hearing across the full range of speech. The test will measure the quietest sound that can be heard several points across the speech range – this hearing test is termed an audiogram.
The hearing test will be performed by an audiologist, whether NHS or on a private basis the basics of the test should remain the same as described below.
The hearing test will be performed by an audiologist, whether NHS or on a private basis the basics of the test should remain the same as described below.
The audiologist performing your hearing test should introduce themselves and explain what is going to happen and the order of things to be done.
They will want to have a look into your ears to ensure there is no blockage (wax) or any reason the hearing test cannot be performed.
They will then want to take a brief history of your hearing, when you noticed problems, did they occur gradually or suddenly, have you had any infections or injury that may have caused the hearing difficulties and the problems you have had to deal with.
The audiologist will then want to test your hearing by performing an audiogram. The test will take about 20-30 minutes. You will be played a series of sounds through headphones and be asked to respond in some way that you have heard the sound normally by pressing a button every time no matter how quiet or faint.
This is done in one ear and then the other, as the results can be different. Depending on the result there may be other tests required, but this will be explained at the time.
They will want to have a look into your ears to ensure there is no blockage (wax) or any reason the hearing test cannot be performed.
They will then want to take a brief history of your hearing, when you noticed problems, did they occur gradually or suddenly, have you had any infections or injury that may have caused the hearing difficulties and the problems you have had to deal with.
The audiologist will then want to test your hearing by performing an audiogram. The test will take about 20-30 minutes. You will be played a series of sounds through headphones and be asked to respond in some way that you have heard the sound normally by pressing a button every time no matter how quiet or faint.
This is done in one ear and then the other, as the results can be different. Depending on the result there may be other tests required, but this will be explained at the time.
Sound is measured in two key ways:
Your audiologist will probably refer to these two things when they explain the results of your test to you. If you do want to a copy of the test, it’s best to ask on the day.
- Volume or level – measured in decibels (dB)
- Pitch or frequency (whether it’s high or low) – measured in hertz (Hz)
Your audiologist will probably refer to these two things when they explain the results of your test to you. If you do want to a copy of the test, it’s best to ask on the day.
Hearing tests are usually carried out in a quiet environment which is sound damped from external noise. The person whose hearing is being tested listens to sounds transmitted by an audiologist and presses a button to signal when they have heard something. The results of the test are plotted on an audiogram.
Volume or loudness which is measured in decibels (dB). Sounds become louder from the top down – softest near the top of the graph.
Pitch or frequency which is measured in hertz (Hz). Frequency goes from low (125Hz) on the left to high (8000Hz) on the right – similar to a piano (low notes on the left, higher to the right).
Normal hearing is when the softest sounds heard are between -10 and 20 dB. If the sounds are louder than 20 dB and you still can’t hear them, then there is a hearing loss. The further down the chart the line of your hearing test comes, the more of a hearing loss.
Mild hearing loss is between 21dB and 40dB. You often have difficulty following speech especially in noisy situations. This type of loss is often noticed by family first rather than yourself.
Moderate hearing loss is between 41dB and 70dB. You often have difficulty following speech and other quiet noises.
Severe hearing loss is between 71dB – 90dB. You are unable to hear speech even in quiet surroundings and do not hear general noises such as traffic unless it’s loud.
Profound hearing loss is greater than 90dB. You are unable to hear most sounds unless really loud.
Volume or loudness which is measured in decibels (dB). Sounds become louder from the top down – softest near the top of the graph.Pitch or frequency which is measured in hertz (Hz). Frequency goes from low (125Hz) on the left to high (8000Hz) on the right – similar to a piano (low notes on the left, higher to the right).
Normal hearing is when the softest sounds heard are between -10 and 20 dB. If the sounds are louder than 20 dB and you still can’t hear them, then there is a hearing loss. The further down the chart the line of your hearing test comes, the more of a hearing loss.
Mild hearing loss is between 21dB and 40dB. You often have difficulty following speech especially in noisy situations. This type of loss is often noticed by family first rather than yourself.
Moderate hearing loss is between 41dB and 70dB. You often have difficulty following speech and other quiet noises.
Severe hearing loss is between 71dB – 90dB. You are unable to hear speech even in quiet surroundings and do not hear general noises such as traffic unless it’s loud.
Profound hearing loss is greater than 90dB. You are unable to hear most sounds unless really loud.