What You Should Know About Hearing Tests
Are you having trouble following your favorite TV show? Do you miss important details during work meetings? Losing your hearing can leave you feeling left out or confused.
At Piedmont Hearing & Balance Center, we want to help improve your hearing. The first step is a hearing test.
A hearing test helps us check your overall hearing health. We use different methods to see how well you hear different types of sounds. This test can spot the early signs of hearing loss—even before you notice any problems. If your hearing is still normal, the test sets a baseline so we can track changes over time. After the test, we’ll talk about the best treatment plan for you.
Hearing Tests at Piedmont Hearing & Balance Center in Statesville
We offer several types of hearing tests, including:
Pure-Tone Audiometry
This is the most common hearing test. You'll wear headphones and listen to beeps at various volumes and pitches. You will indicate when you hear a sound with your hand or a button. This test identifies the quietest sounds you can hear across different frequencies.
Speech Audiometry
This test evaluates how well you understand words when spoken. You'll listen to pre-recorded individual words or full sentences at different volumes and with background noise. This measures your ability to distinguish speech from background sounds.
Tympanometry
This test measures the middle ear's function by gently changing air pressure in the ear canal. It can detect blockages like earwax buildup or fluid in the middle ear, which can affect hearing.
Auditory Brainstem Response
This test assesses the brainstem's response to sound. Electrodes are placed on the head to measure electrical activity while you listen to clicks or beeps. It helps identify hearing loss within the auditory pathway from the ear to the brain.
Otoacoustic Emissions Testing
This test evaluates the health of the hair cells in the inner ear, which convert sound waves into electrical signals. A tiny probe placed in the ear canal measures faint sounds produced by the healthy hair cells in response to external sounds.
Those are the most common, but we do have other types of tests available. After examining your symptoms and overall hearing health, we’ll determine which hearing tests best meet your needs.
What happens during a hearing test?
What does a hearing test show?
A test like audiometry shows the cause, type, and level of hearing loss. You’ll see your results on a chart called an audiogram, which measures both sound volume (in decibels) and pitch. On this graph, you’ll have data points for each sound or pitch tested. It will show:
- Which sounds or pitches you hear clearly
- Which sounds are harder for you to hear
- How severe any hearing loss is
What is the normal hearing range?
On an audiogram, higher data points usually mean better hearing. Most people with normal hearing can hear sounds quieter than 25 decibels (like a whisper). Here are common categories:
Normal Hearing
Mild Hearing Loss
Moderate Hearing Loss
Severe Hearing Loss
Profound Hearing Loss
Hearing loss might not be even across all pitches. You could hear well at some pitches but have problems at others—like high tones.
Why is a hearing test important?
A hearing test is a simple way to protect your hearing health. Even if you think your hearing is good, this test gives you a baseline for the future. If you do have any hearing loss, these tests help us create a plan to treat it.
At Piedmont Hearing & Balance Center, we want you to enjoy the best possible hearing. Call 704-754-4264 or contact us online to schedule a hearing test with us today.