Common Hearing Loss Tests

The American Speech-Language-Hearing

Association, also known as ASHA, is a nationwide

organization focused on ensuring citizens are

empowered to make smart choices regarding auditory

health.

ASHA is also a guiding institution

for the field of audiology,

supporting speech-langue pathologies,

audiologists and language scientists.

When hearing loss professionals compose tests to determine how

well your ears detect sound, many

techniques and guidelines employed

are influenced by ASHA.

Their website lists a series of questions, much like a

checklist, which asks questions such as "Do people get annoyed because you

misunderstand what they say," "Do you have dizziness, pain, or ringing in your ears" and

"Your child does not respond when called."

A high percentage of positive answers may

indicate you or your child have ear problems. The

next step should be to find an audiologist in your area

and submit to an air or bone conduction test.

The air exam focuses on the outer and middle parts of the ear, using headphones

or a loudspeaker to produce a sound. The bone exam uses a vibrating device

placed behind the lobe and focuses on the inner section

of the ear.

Results of the hearing loss tests are displayed on a

chart known as an audiogram, which uses a

line graph with decibels on the y-axis and frequency on

the x-axis.

Common Hearing Loss Tests