Audiometry: Understanding Your Hearing Health
August 13, 2025
Introduction
Hearing is one of our most important senses. It connects us to people, music, conversations, and the sounds of life around us. When hearing starts to fade, it often happens so gradually that we don’t notice—until it begins to affect our daily activities. Audiometry is the science and method of testing your hearing, helping detect even the smallest changes in your hearing ability before they become a bigger problem.
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What is Audiometry?
Audiometry is a painless, non-invasive hearing test used to measure a person’s ability to hear different sounds, pitches, and frequencies. The test helps audiologists and ENT specialists understand whether your hearing is normal or if you have hearing loss, and if so, how severe it is.
The results are usually displayed on a chart called an audiogram, which shows the quietest sounds you can hear at different pitches.
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Types of Audiometry Tests
1. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
This is the most common hearing test. You’ll wear headphones and listen to a series of beeps at different volumes and pitches, pressing a button whenever you hear a sound.
2. Speech Audiometry
Measures how well you can hear and understand speech. You may be asked to repeat words or sentences at different volume levels.
3. Bone Conduction Testing
Uses a small device placed behind your ear to send vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. This helps identify where hearing loss is occurring.
4. Immittance Audiometry (Tympanometry & Acoustic Reflex)
Checks how well your eardrum and middle ear are working. Tympanometry measures eardrum movement, while acoustic reflex testing measures how the ear responds to loud sounds.
5. High-Frequency Audiometry
Used to detect early hearing damage, often in people exposed to loud noises, like musicians or factory workers.
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Who Should Get an Audiometry Test?
People experiencing difficulty hearing conversations, especially in noisy places
Individuals exposed to loud sounds at work or during hobbies
Children with delayed speech or unclear pronunciation
Older adults, as age-related hearing loss is common
Anyone with ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
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How the Test is Performed
The test is simple and comfortable:
1. You’ll sit in a soundproof room.
2. Headphones or ear inserts will be placed in your ears.
3. You’ll hear a series of sounds or words.
4. You respond by pressing a button or speaking.
5. The audiologist records your responses and creates your audiogram.
The whole process usually takes 15–30 minutes.
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Understanding the Results
An audiogram is a graph showing your hearing thresholds at various frequencies.
0–25 dB: Normal hearing
26–40 dB: Mild hearing loss
41–55 dB: Moderate hearing loss
56–70 dB: Moderately severe loss
71–90 dB: Severe loss
91+ dB: Profound loss
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Why Early Detection Matters
Prevents further hearing damage
Improves quality of life
Allows early use of hearing aids or therapy
Helps children develop speech and language skills
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Conclusion
Audiometry is a quick, painless, and effective way to monitor your hearing health. Whether you’re experiencing hearing problems or simply want to stay on top of your health, regular hearing check-ups are a smart choice. Remember—the earlier you detect hearing loss, the better you can manage it.
