Reading Your Hearing Test Results

When you are having trouble hearing and have had a hearing test performed it will be important to be able to read the results and know exactly what is wrong with your hearing. By getting the right results and being able to read them, the doctors will be able to know how to treat your hearing loss.

When you have a hearing test performed it is usually part of a more detailed examination. If your test produces normal results, you are able to hear words when they are whispered properly and repeat what you hear, you can hear the tones equally from both ears, and all the responders for the brain show that you are hearing normally. If you are not hearing properly, you will not be able to hear speech when it is whispered. One tone may appear to be louder and at different levels. You may not be able understand the words that are being spoken. Additionally, the responses show that your brain is not working to properly translate the sounds, which is tested by how often they occur and how loud they are.

There are some things that affect the test results and may produce unhelpful information. If you are not able to follow the directions that you are given because you can't hear them or understand them, are not able to cooperate for the test because you are too young, or have had some problems with the equipment, your results may not be accurate. You may also have incorrect results if you cannot understand the tester, cannot speak clearly, have had an ear infection recently, or been around sudden or loud noises within a few hours prior to taking the hearing test.

When you are taking hearing tests, there are some things that you may want to think about as there are other ways that your hearing can be evaluated. These are:

Acoustic Reflex Test: This is when a small medical instrument is put into and fitted tightly into the ear. The instrument then puts sound and air in the eardrum. It is a very short test and does not hurt at all. Hearing ability is determined on whether or not you hear the sound or feel the change in pressure.

Vestibular Tests: These are used to find out if there are any problems in innermost parts of the ear to make sure that complete balance and coordination is being achieved. While taking this type of hearing test you try to stay balanced and coordinated while standing in various positions. The person doing the testing will make sure that you don't fall.

Whether your hearing loss comes from the inner ear or the middle ear, the results of the hearing test will help the audiologist determine how to best work with you to either restore your hearing or help you live with the hearing loss.