Hearing tests are non-invasive and painless, unlike many medical tests. The majority of hearing tests are conducted in a sound-treated, quiet room or enclosure to block out other noises that could affect the results, like a heater, air conditioner, or an office environment. The test will require you to wear soft earplugs or headphones with wires attached to an audiometer.
It may also include speakers that are placed specifically in the room to test infants, children and people wearing cochlear implants or hearing aids.
Pure-tone audiometry
This includes listening to different tones of different volumes and pitches. The test is conducted in a sound-treated environment. You will be instructed by your hearing professional through headphones. Listen and focus on the test because you will need to react even if it sounds so soft that you barely hear it. The test measures your ability to hear the softest sound at each tested frequency. For a Cheltenham Hearing test, visit https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/cheltenham/
Speech audiometry
Speech audiometry, which is a component of many hearing tests, uses recorded or real speech in a quiet environment, instead of pure tones. The speech part of the test evaluates your ability to hear and understand the softest sounds. Then you will be asked to repeat words at a higher level to test your ability to understand. Some practitioners use speech tones to determine the level of listening that you are most comfortable with and your upper limit.
Tests of speech in noise and noise tests using words
The Speech in Noise Test and the Hearing in Noise Test are all common tests that replicate and quantify hearing ability. These tests can be taken individually or in combination.
These tests will have you listening to a speaker make statements and words while a soundtrack is playing increasingly loud sounds. These tests can be used to assess “real-world hearing abilities”, simulating how you would hear in a noisy restaurant or grocery store.
