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What are the types of hearing tests?

Hearing tests are essential for evaluating your ear health. Several tests will be administered to determine how well (or how bad) you can hear. Doctors Hearing Care employs cutting-edge technology and equipment to assess all aspects of your hearing. We are highly trained audiologists who can provide you with the best hearing treatment possible.

Types of Hearing Tests

There are various sets of hearing tests. Some are very basic and straightforward, while others may require to be in tandem with another hearing test. 

An audiologist can best assess what type of hearing test is needed based on preliminary patient assessment involving discussion of symptoms, lifestyle, medical background, and family history.

Pure Tone Testing

This test uses air conduction to assess your ability to hear sounds of varying pitches and loudness. You will need to wear headphones and sit in a specially designed-booth. A series of noises will be delivered through the headphones. When you hear a tone, you will be prompted to raise your hand or press a button. The results will be presented on an audiogram.

Bone Conduction Testing

This is a type of pure-tone hearing test that evaluates the inner ear’s response to sound. A conductor is inserted behind the ear, sending small vibrations through the bone to the inner ear.

Bone conduction hearing tests differ from the traditional method, which sends audible stimuli through the air. Suppose the results of this test deviate from the results of pure-tone testing. In that case, we will be able to establish the presence of hearing loss and determine its type.

Speech Testing

One of the more basic forms of hearing tests is speech testing. This hearing test determines each ear’s speech reception threshold. Speech testing can be performed on adults and older children to serve as an additional confirmatory test to support pure-tone test results.

Acoustic Reflex Testing

Acoustic reflexes assess the stapedius muscle and the tensor tympani reflex, which cause eardrum movement in reaction to loud noises. They can be useful in testing for specific types of hearing loss when patient reliability is unclear. They may also indicate disease of the central nervous system.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

A person with normal hearing will produce otoacoustic emissions. In contrast, a person with hearing loss greater than 25-30 dB will not be able to produce these subtle emissions. OAEs can determine if there is an obstruction in the middle or outer ear. Blockages will prevent sounds from getting inside the inner ear.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You wear tiny earphones that play soft sounds into your ears.
  2. The earphones also have a microphone that listens to the tiny sounds your inner ear makes when it hears soft sounds.
  3. A computer shows if your inner ear is working well.

It’s like your ear is talking back to the sounds, and the computer helps us hear what your ear says!

How long does a hearing test take?

On average, we allot 60-90 minutes for an initial audiological evaluation for adult patients. We want our evaluations to be as thorough as possible so we can make an accurate diagnosis. 

For pediatric hearing tests, we schedule 45 minutes to allow plenty of time to review and discuss the results with the parents/guardians.

Hearing Tests in New Albany, IN

At Doctors Hearing Care, our mission is to identify and treat hearing loss while concentrating on individual needs so that every person, regardless of age, can communicate, build better relationships, and live life to the fullest!

Contact us today to schedule a hearing test in New Albany, IN.

Find the freedom of better hearing.

Our goal is to evaluate and treat hearing loss focusing on individual needs, so that every person, regardless of age, is given the opportunity to communicate and interact with others to the best of their ability.

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Client Testimonials

“This wonderful woman has changed my life. Thank you Catherine!! Not only is she the utmost professional and thoroughly knows her craft but she has an understanding and compassion not found in many doctors. I would highly recommend and not go to any other audiologist.”

— Melanie Harris

“Professional! Friendly! Knowledgeable! Dr. Cathy was incredible with my 89 year old Father! I walked in with a good gut feeling, and walked out feeling even better! I would definitely recommend Dr. Cathy, and Doctors Hearing Care!”

— Rick Barstead

Find the freedom of better hearing.

Our goal is to evaluate and treat hearing loss focusing on individual needs, so that every person, regardless of age, is given the opportunity to communicate and interact with others to the best of their ability.