Hearing Tests

A hearing test will evaluate what level your hearing is at and your ability to understand speech. The hearing test will take approximately 30 minutes and it’s painless.

Getting Started
During your visit, you will be asked about your overall health and family history. This allows some insight into your hearing and if your hearing difficulties could be caused by other health factors, heredity, or medications.

Otoscopy
After the medical history is reviewed you will be able to see inside your ear, this is called video otoscopy. We are checking for wax occlusion, scaring, redness, or any other abnormalities inside the ear, around the ear, or on the eardrum.

Sound Booth
Your test will be completed in the sound booth with headphones. There will be a series of tones presented in both ears while you indicate when you are able to hear the tone. These responses are recorded and provide the lowest level you can hear the tone, also known as Pure Tone Air Scores.

Speech Tests
Next, we will begin a series of speech tests. These tests are performed to validate the hearing test, used in programming hearing aids, and what outcome to expect if you were to wear amplification. The first speech test is simple, Most Comfortable Level (MCL). This is simply how loud you prefer speech. Then moving onto, Uncomfortable Level (UCL). This is measured by playing recorded calibrated sentences with you indicating when the volume reaches a level that is uncomfortable, but not painful. After this, we will start having your repeat words. First, we use compound words that will get softer until you can’t repeat them any longer. We record the Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) where you can repeat 50% of the words. This score validates our testing and is used in programming hearing aids along with the MCL and UCL. The final speech test is performed at a comfortable listening level, and you simply repeat single syllable words, this test is called Speech Discrimination. The speech discrimination is recorded as a percentage and indicates the percentage of speech you should expect to understand with amplification.

Final Step
The final step during the hearing test is called Bone Conduction Testing. While this sounds scary, it’s rather simple. There is a small cube-like object placed behind your ear. It vibrates which sends the sound to your cochlea. You will then indicate each time you hear the tone. These scores are compared to the air scores to rule out any medical causes of the hearing loss.

Reviewing the Audiogram
After the hearing test, our hearing professional will go over the audiogram and explain the results. We believe in allowing every patient to be a part of their treatment plan. Together we will bring sounds back to your life for better living.

Contact Us to Schedule a Hearing Test.
Are you ready to know more about your hearing with a hearing test? Call Better Hearing Solutions at 573-547-2888 or 573-883-2223. You can also send us a message or schedule an appointment here.