What to Expect During a Hearing Test?

Hearing Test plays a vital role in how you connect with the world around you.

When you start noticing that conversations sound muffled or you’re turning up the volume more often, it might be time for a hearing test.

At Gouda ENT Hospital, we use advanced audiometry techniques to accurately evaluate your hearing health and guide you toward the best solution.

What Is a Hearing Test?

A hearing test, also known as audiometry, is a painless, non-invasive procedure used to assess how well you hear various sounds, pitches, and frequencies.

The test helps identify whether you have hearing loss, its type, and its severity.

It’s suitable for people of all ages — from children with ear infections to adults experiencing age-related hearing decline.

Why You Might Need a Hearing Test

You should consider scheduling a hearing evaluation if you experience:

1. Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in noisy places
2. Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
3. Turning up the TV or phone volume higher than usual
4. Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears (tinnitus)
5. Dizziness or balance issues linked to ear problems

Even if you don’t have symptoms, regular hearing screenings can help detect early changes and prevent long-term damage.

Types of Audiometry Tests

1. Pure-Tone Audiometry: This is the most common type of hearing test. You’ll wear headphones and listen to a series of tones at different pitches and volumes. When you hear a sound, you simply press a button or raise your hand. This helps determine the softest sounds you can hear at each frequency.
2. Speech Audiometry: This test measures how well you can hear and understand speech. You’ll be asked to repeat words played through the headphones at various loudness levels. It evaluates how clearly your brain processes sounds, not just how loudly you hear them.
3. Tympanometry (Middle Ear Test): This assesses how your eardrum and middle ear respond to pressure changes. It helps diagnose ear infections, fluid buildup, or Eustachian tube dysfunction.
   
4. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test: Commonly used for newborns or young children, this test measures sound waves produced by the inner ear when responding to a stimulus, ensuring proper cochlear function.
   
5. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): In this test, electrodes are placed on your head to record how your brain responds to sound signals. It’s often used for infants or people who cannot respond manually during testing.

Step-by-Step: What Happens During a Hearing Test

• Initial Consultation:

Your ENT specialist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and exposure to noise or medications that might affect hearing.

• Ear Examination:

The doctor will examine your ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope to check for wax buildup, infection, or structural issues.

• Audiometric Testing:

You’ll be seated in a quiet, soundproof booth wearing headphones.

Sounds or words will be played in one ear at a time.

Your responses help plot a graph (audiogram) showing your hearing ability across frequencies.

• Results and Discussion:

The ENT will explain your results, identifying whether you have sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss, and what treatments may help.

• Treatment and Recommendations:

Depending on the diagnosis, the specialist may recommend:

1. Medication for infections
2. Ear cleaning for wax removal
3. Hearing aids for long-term hearing loss
4. Surgery for structural ear problems

A Note from Gouda ENT Hospital

Hearing loss can be gradual — you might not notice it until it starts affecting daily communication.

Regular hearing tests are essential to maintain your quality of life.

At Gouda ENT Hospital, our specialists combine advanced audiometry technology with personalized care to detect problems early and offer effective solutions.

With the right treatment, you can stay connected to the world around you.