How is a hearing assessment carried out?
A hearing assessment is usually carried out by an audiologist, ENT specialist, or other qualified healthcare professional to assess a person’s hearing. The process may vary somewhat, but often consists of the following steps:
1. Initial consultation – Medical history
Assessment of symptoms: e.g. hearing loss, tinnitus, ringing in the ears, or dizziness. Questions about medical history, previous ear infections, noise exposure, or hereditary factors. An assessment of how hearing loss affects everyday life.
2. Otoscopy
Examination of the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope. The audiologist looks for signs of earwax, infections, injuries, or other physical causes of hearing loss.
3. Audiometry (Hearing tests)
Pure-tone audiometry
The test is performed using headphones. The patient hears tones at different frequencies and volume levels and presses a button whenever a sound is heard. The softest sound the person can hear (the hearing threshold) is recorded for each frequency. The results are plotted on an audiogram. An example of an audiogram is shown below.
Speech audiometry
The patient listens to and repeats words through headphones. This assesses how well speech is understood in quiet environments (and, if necessary, in noise).
4. Tympanometry (pressure test)
Tests the function of the middle ear and the mobility of the eardrum. It can detect fluid in the middle ear, ear infections, or Eustachian tube dysfunction.
5. Other tests (if needed)
Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) – used to assess inner ear function.ABR – tests the auditory nerve and the brain’s response to sound.
6. Review of test results and next steps
The results are reviewed with the patient. If hearing loss is detected, appropriate measures may include:
Referral to an ENT specialist and audiologist, if this has not already been done.
Developing a rehabilitation plan with your audiologist.
Hearing aid fitting, either through the public healthcare system or privately.
Advice on workplace adaptations or adaptations at home.
Strategies for managing everyday life with hearing loss.
Do you feel that you have difficulty hearing? You can book a hearing test and consultation through our contact form:https://www.audioplus.no/bestill-time
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