Hearing Loss Tests at a Hearing Center

Often the very first step for those suffering from hearing loss is to have it accurately diagnosed at a hearing center that is staffed with qualified professionals. Special tests will be conducted that can help to identify whether the hearing condition is of the mild, moderate, or severe variety. A test can be a basic process that takes no more than 10 minutes to do. A simple screening is a smart idea. If the audiologist suspects that impairment is to blame then a full hearing evaluation will have to be done and this could take up to an hour and a half to complete.

At a hearing center there are some popular tests that are used on a regular basis. Sometimes one simple test is all that is required to diagnose the issue while other times a variety of tests need to be done for further study. Isolating an auditory condition can be simple for some patients depending upon the symptoms that they relate to the doctor, but it can take a bit more investigating to uncover the problem that lies beneath it all.

If a patient who comes into a hearing center suffers from either conductive hearing loss or from sensorineural loss then the primary test that is put to use is the pure-tone audiometric test. A piece of equipment known as an audiometer is used to complete this test. The specialist will give the patient headphones to put on and then they will play a number of different types of tones. These tones will all vary in pitch as well as sound intensity.

The way it works is that when the person hears a sound via the headphones he or she will press a button or will tap on the headphone on the side that the sound comes from. In some instances the patient may be instructed to raise their hand when a tone is heard through the headphones. This auditory exam is often performed in elementary schools.

At a hearing center an audiologist may perform speech reception and word recognition tests. These exams are designed to measure the degree to which a person can hear and how well they are able to comprehend what they are being told by way of verbal communication.

The patient will be given a series of basic words or sentences and then will be told to repeat the words back exactly as he or she heard them. The doctor may speak the words to be repeated back or the patient may hear the words played to him or her through a CD. Either method can be used.