Hearing test is performed to measure the hearing level of the person. This test, which can be done at any age, is usually performed in a soundproof room. There are 4 different types of hearing test. These are;
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Pure-Tone Audiometry
This is the most commonly performed hearing test available. It is done to measure the minimum level of sound that the ears can hear at different frequencies. A special earphone is attached to the patient, and then the sounds are played. Then the patient is asked to press the button in front of him/her when he/she hears a sound. Thus, it becomes possible to measure the sounds heard by the patient. The main purpose of performing this test is to determine the level of hearing threshold.
Speech Audiometry
As it can be expected, the human voice is the basis of speech audiometry, which is performed for the purpose of hearing and evaluating the human voice. This test also provides an idea about the ear functions of the person. It is a hearing test that allows determining a person’s threshold for sounds, such as comfortable listening threshold or speech discernment threshold.
Tympanometry
The main purpose of this test is to measure the pressure of the middle ear. During the test, air pressure is applied to the external ear canal and thus the mobility in the eardrum is measured. The measurement is done by placing a probe in the ear. We can say that it is a hearing test that can be applied not only to adults but also to babies. However, it should be underlined that there should be no hole in the eardrum for this test to be performed.
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Acoustic Reflex
It is performed to measure how the stapes muscle in the middle ear responds to acoustic stimuli. The findings obtained with this hearing test are evaluated together with the findings obtained by other methods. Generally, we can say that this hearing test method is applied in order to detect the factors that cause hearing loss
How Bera Test is Done?
Bera test is an advanced diagnostic test used to detect hearing loss in infants. When hearing loss occurs at a young age, it can also lead to speech disorders. For this reason, it is very important to perform a hearing test in infancy and to intervene in existing problems with early diagnosis. This is where the draw test comes into play. Since congenital hearing loss is seen in 3 out of every 1000 babies, an otolaryngologist should be consulted in order to perform the necessary examinations and tests in cases such as babies do not react to sounds.
Also called as ABR scanning, this test records the electrical activity generated by the auditory nerve and brain stem. Electrodes are placed on the scalp for recording, and this test is not harmful to babies. Although this test is usually performed for babies and children, it is worth noting that the test can also be performed for adults if needed.
Hearing Test for Newborns
Hearing test for newborn babies is mostly performed with ABR scanning. Because it is impossible to understand whether babies can hear with observations or other test methods. For this reason, the test is applied and it can be easily understood whether there is any hearing loss in babies. In this test, babies are not asked to react to the sounds they hear and there is no such expectation. Therefore, the desired results can be obtained easily with the test.
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Hearing Test for Children
The hearing test method for children is also usually a joint test. However, it should be noted that different hearing tests may be preferred depending on the age of the child. Sometimes, it may be necessary to perform two different tests and evaluate the results together by an otolaryngologist.
How Long Does a Hearing Test Take?
It should be noted that the test time may vary depending on which hearing test method is preferred. But mostly these tests are completed in 5 minutes to 20 minutes. The test applied for babies, on the other hand, takes between 5 minutes and 15 minutes in total, including the preparation phase for the test.
Hearing Test Results
The results of the hearing test are evaluated by your doctor and then you are informed. Test results are evaluated as follows:
- It is normal hearing to be able to hear sounds as low as 20 dBHL.
- Hearing sounds between 25 and 39 dBHL is mild hearing loss.
- Hearing loss between 40 and 69 dBHL is considered moderate hearing loss.
- Advanced hearing loss is between 70 – 89 dBHL. In this case, the use of implants may be required.
Foreign sources:
https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/what-is-a-hearing-test/