6 Common Types of Hearing Tests Explained

If you're considering scheduling an appointment with an audiologist to examine your ears and hearing and discuss your hearing health, you may be wondering: What's going to happen during the test? How long does a hearing test take? While it's perfectly normal to feel a little nervous, keep in mind that hearing tests are relatively quick, easy and painless.

Below we'll walk you through the different types of tests, where to get them and what's involved so you can stay on top of your hearing health.

What Is a Hearing Test?

Also known as an audiometry evaluation, a hearing test is performed by an audiologist and checks for hearing loss by measuring your ability to hear different sounds, pitches and frequencies.¹

Hearing tests check for three main categories of hearing loss:²

• Sensorineural. This occurs when the inner ear or hearing nerve becomes damaged as a result of aging, exposure to loud noise, injury, disease, genetics or certain drugs. It's the most common cause of hearing loss in adults.
• Conductive. This occurs when sound waves are blocked from moving through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear due to ear wax, a foreign object, fluid, infection, a bone abnormality or if the eardrum is injured. It's most common in children with frequent ear infections.
• Mixed. People may also have a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Hearing loss becomes more common as we age. Experts recommend getting your hearing tested every five years if you're under the age of 50 and every one to two years after that.³

Hearing loss is often gradual, but there are things to look out for. You may want to get your hearing checked if you have trouble hearing people talk when you're in a crowded room, have to turn up the volume on the phone or TV to hear what is being said, have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds or have ringing in your ears (tinnitus).

Different Types of Hearing Tests

There are many different tests that can be used during a hearing screening. Which tests are administered depends on your specific concerns, your age and other factors.

Below are six of the more common tests:

1. Acoustic reflex measurement test

Also known as the middle ear reflex measurement, this tests the reflex of the muscle in the middle ear in response to noises. The doctor will place a small probe in your ear to determine how loud the sound needs to be for the muscle in your middle ear to tighten in response. The louder the sound needs to be to cause the muscle to restrict, the more hearing loss may be present.⁴

2. Otoscopy

This is a routine physical examination of the ear. Using an instrument called an otoscope, the doctor will look at your eardrum and ear canal to check for signs of infection or ear obstructions, such as ear wax. This test is standard in wellness checkups and an essential diagnostic tool for specific ear concerns.⁵

3. Pure-tone audiometry test

Pure-tone testing is the most common type of hearing test. It is used in a doctor's office, as well as for hearing screening programs in schools. Pure tone uses air conduction that goes through your outer and middle ear.⁶

The right and left ears are tested separately using headphones, allowing the doctor to determine whether hearing loss is present in only one or both ears. During the pure-tone test, the healthcare practitioner plays several tones at different frequencies to see if you can hear within the normal range. You will be instructed to either raise your hand or push a button when you hear the tone.⁶

4. Speech and word recognition test

Just like it sounds, the speech and word recognition test is used if you are having trouble following along in a conversation or can’t understand what someone is saying to you. People with hearing loss typically have trouble hearing in noisy areas.⁶

During the test, you will wear headphones and the healthcare or speech specialist will say words to you at different sound levels and have you repeat the words back. The goal is to find the softest words you can understand. This test may be done in conjunction with a pure-tone test.⁶

5. Tuning fork test

The tuning fork test is a simple tool used during a routine physical exam to check for hearing loss in one or both ears. It involves a metal tool that resembles a fork and uses bone conduction to measure hearing.⁷

During a tuning fork test, your healthcare practitioner taps the tuning fork on their forearm and then places it on your forehead. They will ask you if the sound is louder in one ear or the same in both.⁷

6. Tympanometry test

The tympanometry test measures how well your eardrum is working. It allows the doctor to determine if there is an infection, fluid in the ear or wax buildup.⁴

The tympanometry test uses probes that are placed in your ear, one at a time. The probe introduces air into the ear, which is displayed in graph form (tympanogram). This test requires no participation from you, just the ability to sit still.⁴

Typically, a standard hearing test takes around 30 minutes to an hour and includes a physical exam, the speed and word recognition test and the pure-tone test. If your doctor recommends more testing, your hearing test may take longer.³

How Much Does a Hearing Test Cost?

The national average cost* of a hearing test can vary between $12 and $85, depending upon the type of hearing test, who is conducting the hearing test and the geographic location of the test.⁸

Where to Get a Hearing Test

Many hearing clinics and health facilities offer free screenings year-round or at certain times of the year. These screenings can determine whether you need further testing.

There are also ways to do a hearing test online. While these may not be as reliable as a hearing test from your doctor, they can offer basic information.⁹

One form of an online hearing test is a simple questionnaire. Another form is a phone app that offers hearing tests that use your headphones to listen to a series of sounds and pitches. You can then schedule a more comprehensive hearing test with your doctor based on the results of online tests.⁹

Another good place to start is with your primary physician, who can then refer you to an audiologist.

Test Your Hearing Online

Interpreting Your Hearing Exam Results

Hearing test results are usually presented on a chart or graph known as an audiogram, which shows the level, type and configuration of hearing loss.¹⁰ The audiologist will review your audiogram results with you and explain the cause of your hearing issue, the type of hearing loss and the level of hearing loss.

You may have a hearing loss of up to 25 decibels and still be within the normal hearing range. From there, hearing loss is described as:¹⁰

Treatment Options for Hearing Loss

Once the level of hearing loss is determined, the audiologist will review your hearing loss treatment options. Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss and are available in different styles and technologies. Other types of hearing loss treatments include cochlear implants and assistive listening devices, as well as therapy and solutions that may address an ear infection or a blockage in the inner ear.¹¹

Your audiologist will also discuss the next steps in your hearing care. This may include a follow-up appointment, a referral to another type of hearing care specialist — such as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor — or a fitting with a hearing aid specialist. Your audiologist may also review steps you can take to prevent further hearing loss, like reducing exposure to loud noises.

Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to hearing care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, vision, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women’s Health Online, Headspace and more.