You may have noticed that you're having a harder time than usual hearing the sounds around you. There are a few different tests that are used today to test your hearing. While there are hearing tests online now, it's always important to go to the doctor for a professional and definite diagnosis. 

Reasons to Need a Hearing Test

It's important to keep up with your check-up appointments with your doctor. If you continue your check-ups, your doctor may be able to catch your hearing loss before you even notice it's happening. There are many causes for hearing loss, it's more common than you may think.

Some of the causes for hearing loss may include:

• Ear infections
• Head trauma
• Loud noises (e.g. loud music, guns, power tools)
• Medications
• Genetics

Hearing loss can run in the family, so it's possible for you to do everything right, like avoiding loud noises, and still ending up with hearing loss. 

Types of Hearing Tests

The following are a few examples of the types of hearing tests that can be used to test for hearing loss:

Pure Tone Test

This test is designed to test what tones and pitches you are able to hear. For this test, you will need to be wearing headphones, and every time you hear a sound, you will be asked to raise your hand or press a button. 

Bone Conduction Testing

The bone conduction test goes hand in hand with the pure-tone test. This test is designed to test how the inner part of your ear reacts to sound by sending vibrations to the inner ear. 

Speech Testing

The speech test is used to test how well you can understand speech. The test will be conducted in a silent and loud environment. Your job is to separate the speech from the noises you hear in the background. 

Tympanometry

This test is designed to test how your eardrum reacts to air. This is the test to use if there is suspected wax or fluid buildup. 

What Is the Purpose of a Hearing Test?

Hearing tests are used to determine whether or not you are experiencing hearing loss. They can detect if you have hearing loss in one or both ears and how bad your hearing loss is. While hearing loss is not reversible, you can use devices, like hearing aids, to help you hear better. You can also learn how to read lips or sign language if you're uncomfortable with the hearing aid options available. Reach out to a company like Accurate Hearing Technology Inc for more information about hearing tests.