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Overview of Audiometry Pure Tone Test
The Audiometry Pure Tone Test is an essential diagnostic tool that audiologists perform in order to evaluate a person’s sensitivity for hearing. By determining the faintest sound an individual can hear, the audiometry test can find the degree and the type of hearing loss.
This test must be carried out in a quiet, sound-proof room and can be used in the diagnosis of both temporary and permanent hearing loss using headphones or ear inserts. Knowing about this test is critical for people who have hearing problems.
Know about Degrees of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect different people in different ways. The severity can range from mild to profound, and the Pure Tone Audiometry Test allows audiologists to gauge the exact level of hearing loss in each ear. Hearing loss is typically divided into 5 broader categories, where each category is based on the measurement of the faintest sound an individual can hear, measured in decibels (dB HL).
- Normal Hearing (0 to 25 dB HL): Those with a mild loss might struggle to hear a whisper or rustling leaves. So, if someone can't hear on this broader range, this could be a red flag that more testing may be necessary in order to pinpoint a specific problem.
- Mild Hearing Loss (26 to 40 dB HL): Someone with a mild hearing loss may have difficulty hearing soft speech, especially in noisy situations. Those with mild loss often don’t know they have it until they are tested, but they find themselves asking others to repeat themselves or turn up the volume.
- Moderate Hearing Loss (41 to 55 dB HL): Everyday conversations, especially when in groups, may present difficulties. Hearing aids are commonly advised at this stage to help with the communication aspect.
- Moderately Severe (56 to 70 dB HL): Without a hearing aid, understanding normal conversations is almost impossible. Most of the words that get spoken come out as inaudible without a hearing device.
- Severe to Profound Hearing Loss (71 dB HL and above): Individuals with this degree of hearing loss may only perceive loud sounds like thunder or fireworks. Communication often relies on lip reading or sign language if hearing aids or cochlear implants are not effective.
Knowing the degree of hearing loss through this test helps audiologists create customised treatment plans for improved hearing health.
Purpose and Meaning of the Indications during the Test
The Audiometry Pure Tone Test is designed to do more than detect hearing loss—it provides a comprehensive insight into the specific nature and scope of a person’s hearing condition. During the test, you’ll be asked to respond to a series of tones at various pitches (frequencies) and volumes (intensities). Each of your responses—or lack thereof—acts as an important indicator for audiologists.
Purpose of the Test
- The primary goal of pure tone audiometry is to chart an individual’s hearing threshold across a range of frequencies (typically from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz).
- This is plotted on an audiogram—a visual representation that helps identify not only the degree but also the configuration (e.g., flat, sloping, cookie-bite) of hearing loss.
- The results can indicate whether the hearing loss is conductive (related to the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (inner ear or nerve pathway), or mixed.
Meaning of Indications
- During the test, each ear is tested separately. When a person hears a tone, they indicate it by pressing a button or raising a hand.
- The lowest level at which a person consistently responds to a tone is called the "threshold" and is marked on the audiogram.
- If a person fails to respond to a tone at normal volume, it suggests a hearing impairment at that frequency.
The test may also include bone conduction testing, which involves placing a vibrating device behind the ear. Comparing air conduction (via headphones) and bone conduction results helps determine the type of hearing loss.
In essence, every tone you hear—or miss—helps the audiologist build a complete picture of your auditory function, guiding them in recommending further tests, hearing aids, or other treatments.
Necessary Understanding of the Procedure
Undergoing a Pure Tone Audiometry Test is simple, painless, and non-invasive, but having a clear understanding of the procedure can help alleviate anxiety and ensure accurate results. The test is typically conducted in a soundproof room to eliminate background noise, allowing for precise hearing measurement.
- The audiologist will begin by placing headphones or ear inserts on the patient to deliver sounds directly into the ears.
- For testing bone conduction, a small vibrating device called a bone oscillator is placed behind the ear on the mastoid bone.
- The patient is then asked to sit quietly and listen carefully for a series of beeping or tone-like sounds played at different volumes and pitches, one ear at a time.
- Whenever a sound is heard, the patient responds by pressing a button, raising a hand, or saying “yes.”
- The faintest tones that the individual can hear at each frequency are recorded as their hearing threshold.
- This process is repeated across a range of frequencies, typically from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz, which covers the key range for understanding speech.
- The collected data is charted on an audiogram, a graphical representation of hearing ability.
- The audiogram helps the audiologist understand whether hearing falls within the normal range or if there's a deviation that needs further assessment or intervention.
- The test usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Being well-rested and avoiding exposure to loud noises prior to the test is advised, as temporary threshold shifts can affect results. It’s also important to inform the audiologist of any ear discomfort or medication being taken that may influence hearing. Understanding these aspects ensures the test goes smoothly and yields reliable results for accurate diagnosis.
Types of Hearing Loss
The Pure Tone Audiometry Test is instrumental in identifying the type of hearing loss, which is just as important as determining the degree. Based on where the impairment occurs in the auditory pathway, hearing loss is categorised into three main types: Conductive, Sensorineural, and Mixed.
1. Conductive Hearing Loss
This type occurs when sound waves are blocked or reduced before they reach the inner ear. Causes may include earwax buildup, fluid in the middle ear, ear infections, perforated eardrum, or abnormalities in the ear bones (ossicles). Since the problem lies in the outer or middle ear, sounds may seem muffled, but clarity improves with increased volume. Conductive loss is often treatable with medication or minor surgery.
2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
This is the most common type and involves damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), noise exposure, head trauma, or genetic conditions are frequent causes. People with SNHL often struggle to hear high-frequency sounds and have difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. It is usually permanent, but hearing aids or cochlear implants can help manage it effectively.
3. Mixed Hearing Loss
As the name suggests, this involves elements of both conductive and sensorineural loss. For example, a person with age-related inner ear damage who also has fluid in the middle ear may experience mixed hearing loss. Treatment depends on addressing both underlying causes, often a combination of medical intervention and hearing devices.
Identifying the correct type of hearing loss is critical for choosing the most effective treatment path, and the Pure Tone Audiometry Test provides the foundation for that diagnosis.
What Are the Benefits of the Audiometry Pure Tone Test?
The Audiometry Pure Tone Test is an important tool for diagnosis, but even more than that, it is a bridge to improved hearing. It helps with early detection and correct diagnosis, planning of an individual’s therapy strategy and long-term monitoring of auditory health.
1. Early Detection
The test detects hearing problems before you are ever aware of any symptoms. Early detection in children or elderly people can avert deterioration of speech, learning and social life.
2. Precision in Diagnosis
Pure tone testing provides a detailed hearing profile, as evaluation of hearing thresholds is undertaken at different frequencies. It assists audiologists in pinpointing the specific frequencies where hearing is impaired and whether one or both ears are affected.
3. Differentiating Types of Hearing Loss
This test includes both air-conduction and bone-conduction threshold measurements. So, it aids in determining the nature of the hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed). This clarity leads to the correct treatment (surgery, medication, hearing aids).
4. Customising Treatment Plans
The information collected helps healthcare professionals customise solutions, for example, by modifying hearing aid settings to amplify particular frequencies or recommending any necessary medical procedures.
5. Monitoring Progress or Deterioration
For those who already suffer from hearing impairment, the test is a convenient way to keep track of changes over time. Routine tests can help gauge how well a current treatment is working.
This popular hearing test is the perfect partner for the young and old. It is the first step toward a better quality of life, better communication, and proactive auditory care.
Frequently Asked Questions
The test measures one's hearing level by determining the minimum intensity at which the tested individual can perceive individual tones of different frequencies. It is used to diagnose what kind and to what degree of hearing loss a person has, and it is vital for identifying early signs of hearing trouble and guiding how to correct it.
Hearing thresholds of 0–25 dB HL are considered to be within normal limits in all tested frequencies. If someone continuously perceives noises at or below this threshold, then their hearing can be said to be normal. Ratings above this threshold signify hearing impairment of a mild to profound nature, depending upon the level of dB at which these sounds are registered.
No, this test does not have home sample collection. Since the Audiometry Pure Tone Test needs a soundproof room and special equipment operated by a professional audiologist, it should be performed in certified diagnostic or audiology centres for a reliable and accurate result.
You can easily book an appointment through the official website of Vijaya Diagnostic Centre. You can also call us directly to make a booking.
We accept multiple payment modes, including UPI, debit/credit cards, net banking, and digital wallets for online bookings. Walk-in payments at the centre can often be made in cash or via card. Ensure to check accepted payment options at the time of booking.
Yes, we allow cancellations, as long as you cancel before a given time prior to the appointment. Make sure you read the cancellation and refund policy at the time of booking so that you are aware of the terms upfront.
For young adults with normal hearing, testing every 3–5 years should do the trick. But if you have difficulty hearing, get a lot of ear infections, or work in a loud environment, you should be tested annually. Seniors and people with preexisting hearing problems should also have annual checkups to track the changes.
Try to take the test in the early morning or afternoon, when you are most alert and least tired. Patients are advised to avoid 12–24 hours of noise exposure before the test to enhance the recording accuracy. Observe any instructions given by the audiologist or testing facility.
Yes, you can reschedule with ease. You can also book a new date and time. But rescheduling policies can change, and one would want to avoid penalties, so it’s probably best to do so at least 24 hours in advance.
Results from an Audiometry Pure Tone Test are typically available on the same day, often within a few hours after the test. You will also be provided with a printed audiogram and interpretation immediately. An email of the report can be sent to you within 24 hours, depending on the workflow and processing.
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