What are the different types of hearing aids tests? 

It’s been a while that you are experiencing hearing issues, and you are on the fence about  whether you should get examined by a hearing care professional. You might be feeling  anxious about what to expect during a hearing test or whether you actually need one.  Isn’t it better to ward off your concerns once and for all by getting your ears tested by a  hearing aid specialist? This guide is likely to expedite that process, and make you  confidently book the overdue appointment with an audiologist.  

Getting to know about different types of hearing tests will help you understand what to  expect during the exam. Audiologists may perform more than one type of hearing test to  accurately diagnose your hearing condition. Majorly, there are seven types of hearing  tests performed by hearing care specialists, which are recommended on the basis of your  symptoms or age group.  

1) Audiometry:

During this test, one’s hearing is evaluated across a range of  frequencies, usually between 250 to 8,000 Hz. By determining what sound  frequencies you are able to hear better than others, an audiologist is able to calculate  your specific audibility threshold.  

The test is performed on each ear one at a time, and you’ll be requested to raise your  hand or press a button when you hear a tone. The output of this test is plotted on an  audiogram, which is a two-dimensional graph having the volume (in dB) as the x-axis  and frequency (in Hz) as the y-axis. 

2) Speech Testing:

This test enables the audiologist to validate the results obtained  from the audiometry test. During this test, the healthcare professional evaluates your  ability to hear and repeat spoken language produced at different sound thresholds /  volumes. The speech recognition threshold measures the faintest speech you are able  to hear during the test. At times, this test is performed in noisy settings in order to  simulate real-world settings.  

The outcome of this test allows an audiologist to decide if you need a hearing aid or  any other type of assistive listening device. 

3) Tympanometry:

A tympanometry test is used by an audiologist to assess your middle  ear function, by evaluating the eardrum’s stiffness or how well it moves in response to  the sound. This test enables an audiologist to ascertain if there is any unwanted fluid  in the middle ear, excess build-up of earwax or any underlying damage in the eardrum.  This test is also helpful for diagnosing other hearing problems, such as negative  middle ear pressure, otosclerosis or disruption of the tympanic membrane. In addition,  the tympanometry test plays a role in elucidating whether it’s a conductive or  sensorineural hearing loss.

The test is carried out using a tympanometer, comprising of a probe inserted into the  ear canal. The response of the eardrum is measured by generating different tones,  while varying the pressure continuously. Similar to an audiometry test, the results are  recorded on a tympanogram. 

4) Acoustic Reflex Measures and Static Acoustic Measures:

In addition to  tympanometry, an audiologist uses acoustic reflex measures and static acoustic  measures to evaluate the function of a patient’s middle ear. This test is usually carried  out in children below the age of 5, who are susceptible to experiencing a middle ear  disease. 

The test helps the audiologist assess the muscle function in the ear, which is  responsible for hearing. In addition, it enables the hearing expert to check whether the  hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural in nature as in the case of tympanometry. 

The test is carried out by placement of a soft rubber tip inside the ear. Then, a range  of sounds (usually loud) are played, which travel through the rubber tips, and are  recorded by a machine displaying whether the sound generated a reflex response in  the ear or not. A person with hearing damage will generally require a very loud sound  to trigger a reflex response. 

5) Electrocochleography (ECOG):

An ECOG test is used to assess the electrical  potential of the cochlea when exposed to a sound. The test is used to diagnose some  particular types of hearing disorders, such as Meniere’s disease.  

During the test, the patient wears earphones, which are used to transmit the sound  through the ear canal. In addition, electrodes are placed on the forehead, which  identify cochlea’s response to the sound. The resulting waves are quantified by the  audiologist to uncover different aspects of function of the cochlea. 

6) Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR):

An auditory brainstem response test helps  an audiologist measure the time taken by the sound to travel from your ear to the  region of your brain that processes sound. The test is useful to assess the functioning  of the pathway connecting the ear and the brain. The test is generally performed on  pediatric / younger population, who are not suitable candidates for other types of  hearing tests.  

Although the test is safe, it requires some prior preparatory steps. First of all, it requires  that the infant / child is asleep during the test. For a child younger than six months,  the test is done without sedation, while older kids might receive some form of sedation  to help them feel relaxed or sleepy.  

To perform the test, an audiologist places earphones and soft sensor electrodes near  the child’s ears around the forehead. The electrodes enable the hearing expert 

evaluate the response generated by the hearing part of the brain to different sound intensities. 

7) Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs):

An OAE test helps an audiologist to determine the  function of your inner ear by measuring otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). These  emissions are generated by the inner ear when it is exposed to sound. This is due to  the vibration caused by hair cells present in the inner ear when subjected to any type  of sound. 

This test is performed using a probe, which is placed in the ear canal to measure very  feeble sounds generated by the inner ear when subjected to an external noise. If the  inner ear does not generate these emissions, it indicates a possibility of hearing loss. 

Hearing tests are absolutely safe, and do not require any type of intensive prior  preparation. The test results are confidential, and your audiologist will discuss them  with you only in private settings. However, before taking a hearing test, you must  discuss any concerns you might have, regarding the test with your audiologist.  

In order to diagnose and treat your specific hearing condition accurately, it is usually  required that you undergo at least two or more hearing tests. Depending on the type  of hearing loss, your hearing care provider would be able to recommend a suitable  treatment alternative to you, such as therapy, installation of a hearing aid or a surgical  procedure.