Pure Tone Audiometry Test Logan Village

You will undergo a pure tone audiometry test, which utilises single-frequency sounds to assess your hearing. The test is conducted in a soundproof room with headphones, and you will respond to tones of varying frequencies. This test helps identify hearing loss types, such as conductive or sensorineural.

Your results will be plotted on an audiogram, showing the softest sounds you can hear. You will gain a better understanding of your hearing abilities and what they mean for your daily life, and from here, you can explore what your results imply for your future hearing health and potential next steps.

All Ears in Hearing is based in Rochedale South and Shailer Park. We service all the surrounding areas of Rochedale, Shailer Park, Logan, Mount Gravatt, Acacia Ridge, Parkison, Strettong, Browns Plains, Regents Park, Forestdale, Forest Lake, Springfield Lakes and Waterford West.

What Is Pure Tone

When you're looking into pure tone audiometry, it's essential to understand what's being referred to as "pure tone" – it's a sound with a single frequency, or pitch, that you can hear without any additional noise or distortion. This type of sound is used in audiometry to assess your hearing ability. You'll be asked to identify the presence or absence of these pure tones, which helps determine the threshold of your hearing.

As you listen to pure tones, you're helping to establish a baseline for your hearing. It's crucial that you can distinguish between different frequencies, as this will indicate how well you can hear various sounds. You won't be hearing music or voices, but rather a series of beeps or tones that are designed to test your auditory system. By responding to these pure tones, you're providing valuable information about your hearing abilities, which can then be used to diagnose any potential issues.

Test Procedure Steps

You're going to sit in a soundproof room, and the test will kick off with you being fitted with headphones. The headphones will help block out any background noise, allowing you to focus on the sounds you'll be hearing. The test administrator will then introduce a series of tones, starting with a low frequency and gradually increasing to higher frequencies.

You'll be asked to respond when you hear each tone, usually by raising your hand or pressing a button. It's essential to respond accurately, as this will help determine your hearing threshold. The test administrator will also vary the intensity of the tones, making them softer or louder, to assess your ability to detect different sound levels. You'll need to concentrate and respond to each tone, even if it's faint, to ensure accurate results. The test procedure is straightforward, and by following the instructions, you'll be able to provide the necessary information to assess your hearing.

Hearing Loss Types

Several types of hearing loss can be identified through a Pure Tone Audiometry Test. You'll find that hearing loss is generally categorized into three main types: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there's a problem with the way sound is conducted to the inner ear. This can be caused by issues with the middle ear, such as earwax buildup or a perforated eardrum. Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, is related to problems with the inner ear or the nerve pathways to the brain.

You may have mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It's not uncommon for you to experience one or more of these types, and the Pure Tone Audiometry Test can help identify the specific type and degree of your hearing loss. By understanding the type of hearing loss you have, you can better determine the appropriate course of treatment. You should discuss your test results with an audiologist or healthcare professional to determine the best option for you.

Test Result Interpretation

Now that you've identified the type of hearing loss you have, it's time to interpret the results of your Pure Tone Audiometry Test. You'll receive a graph, known as an audiogram, which shows the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. It's what you'll use to understand your hearing loss. The audiogram will have two lines, one for each ear, and it'll show the degree of hearing loss in decibels.

You'll see the results in terms of air conduction and bone conduction. Air conduction measures sound through headphones, while bone conduction measures sound through a device placed on your forehead. Your test results will be classified as normal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or profound hearing loss. It's essential to review your results with an audiologist or hearing specialist, as they can help you understand what your results mean and recommend the best course of action. They'll consider your test results, medical history, and lifestyle to provide personalized guidance.

Common Test Findings

When reviewing your Pure Tone Audiometry Test results, it's common to see varying degrees of hearing loss across different frequencies. You may notice that you've got more severe hearing loss in high-frequency sounds, like those above 2,000 Hz, which can make it tough to hear consonants and understand speech. On the other hand, you might have less severe hearing loss in low-frequency sounds, like those below 500 Hz, which can make it easier to hear vowels and deep voices.

As you look at your test results, you'll see that the degree of hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB). You might have a mild hearing loss, which is typically defined as a loss of 25-40 dB, or a more severe loss, which can be 70 dB or more. It's also possible that you've got a hearing loss that's specific to one ear, or that it's affecting both ears equally. Your test results will give you a clear picture of your hearing loss, and it's essential to understand what they mean to get a better sense of your hearing health.

Treatment Options Available

With your test results in hand, you're likely wondering what's next – and fortunately, there are many effective treatment options available to help you manage your hearing loss. You can discuss these options with your audiologist or healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. They'll help you understand the pros and cons of each option and recommend the most suitable treatment.

You may be a candidate for hearing aids, which can significantly improve your ability to communicate and engage with your environment. Alternatively, you might benefit from assistive listening devices, such as phone amplifiers or TV listening systems. In some cases, cochlear implants or other surgical procedures may be recommended. You'll also learn about communication strategies and techniques to help you better cope with your hearing loss. By exploring these treatment options, you can take control of your hearing health and improve your overall quality of life.