Hearing Loss Diagnosis: 5 Test for Your Ears Health

Hearing loss is reduced ability to hear sounds, caused by aging, noise exposure, genetics, infections, or medications. Symptoms include difficulty understanding speech, and social withdrawal. Hearing loss diagnosis by an audiologist, with tests and medical history.

 

5 Tests for Diagnosing Hearing Loss

Hearing loss diagnosis plays a crucial role in hearing loss as it helps identify the underlying causes, determine the extent of hearing loss, and guide appropriate interventions for improved quality of life.

 

1. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
2. Speech Audiometry
3. Tympanometry
4. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test
5. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test

 

 

1. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)

• Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) measures hearing sensitivity across different frequencies.
• It helps determine the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss.
• PTA involves listening to pure tones and indicating when they are heard, providing an audiogram for hearing loss diagnosis.

 

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) Test	Details
Also Known As	Audiogram
Purpose	Measures hearing sensitivity
Sample	Individual
Preparation	None
Procedure	Listening to pure tones & responding
Test Timing	15-30 minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-2000
Result Value	Hearing thresholds at different frequencies
Normal Value	Varies with age
Accuracy	Highly accurate
Interpretation	Determines type and degree of hearing loss

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) test for hearing loss diagnosis measures hearing sensitivity across frequencies. Results aid in determining type and degree of hearing loss.

 

2. Speech Audiometry

• Speech Audiometry assesses an individual's ability to hear and understand speech.
• It measures speech reception threshold (SRT) and word recognition score (WRS).
• Speech Audiometry helps determine the impact of hearing loss on communication and aids in appropriate interventions.

 

Speech Audiometry Test	Details
Also Known As	Speech Discrimination Test
Purpose	Assessing speech understanding
Sample	Individual
Preparation	None
Procedure	Listening to and repeating spoken words
Test Timing	15-30 minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-2000
Result Value	Word recognition score
Normal Value	Varies based on age
Accuracy	Reliable Results
Interpretation	Evaluates the impact of hearing loss on speech comprehension

Speech Audiometry Test assesses speech perception and understanding, evaluating the impact, and hearing loss diagnosis. Results provide speech reception threshold and word recognition scores.

 

3. Tympanometry

• Tympanometry evaluates the movement of the eardrum and middle ear.
• In hearing loss diagnosis, this test measures the compliance and pressure of the middle ear system.
• Tympanometry helps diagnose conditions like fluid in the middle ear, eardrum perforations, or issues with middle ear bones.

 

Tympanometry Test	Details
Also Known As	Tympanogram
Purpose	Evaluates middle ear function
Sample	Individual
Preparation	None
Procedure	Measurement of middle ear compliance & pressure
Test Timing	A few minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-1500
Result Value	Tympanogram graph
Normal Value	Varies based on age
Accuracy	Accurate Assessment
Interpretation	Identifies middle ear abnormalities

Tympanometry Test evaluates middle ear function and detects abnormalities, providing a tympanogram graph. It helps identify middle ear abnormalities with high accuracy.

 

4. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test

• The otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test measures the sounds generated by the inner ear.
• In hearing loss diagnosis, this test helps assess the health of the outer hair cells in the cochlea.
• OAE test is useful in screening for hearing loss, especially in newborns and young children.

 

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test	Details
Also Known As	OAE Screening
Purpose	Measures sound generated by the inner ear
Sample	Individual
Preparation	None
Procedure	Detection of otoacoustic emissions
Test Timing	A few minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-1500
Result Value	Presence or absence of OAEs
Normal Value	OAEs present in healthy ears
Accuracy	Diagnostic Precision
Interpretation	Evaluates outer hair cell function

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test measures sounds generated by the inner ear, evaluating outer hair cell function. It provides presence or absence of OAEs, aiding in inner ear health assessment.

 

5. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test

• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test evaluates the electrical activity in the auditory pathway.
• In hearing loss diagnosis, this test measures the brain's response to sound stimuli, providing information about hearing sensitivity.
• ABR test is valuable for diagnosing hearing loss in individuals who cannot provide reliable behavioral responses.

 

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test	Details
Also Known As	Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) Test
Purpose	Measures electrical activity in the auditory pathway
Sample	Individual
Preparation	None
Procedure	Recording of brainstem responses
Test Timing	30-60 minutes
Test Price (INR)	1000-3000
Result Value	Waveforms
Normal Value	Presence of identifiable waveforms
Accuracy	Reliable Detection
Interpretation	Assesses hearing sensitivity and auditory pathway function

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test measures auditory pathway activity, providing waveforms representing responses to sound stimuli. It assesses hearing sensitivity and pathway function accurately.

 

Hearing Loss Differential Diagnosis

Disease	Similar Diseases	Differentiating Factors
Presbycusis	Noise-induced hearing loss	Gradual onset, age-related
Meniere's Disease	Vestibular migraine	Recurrent vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss
Otosclerosis	Sensorineural hearing loss	Conductive hearing loss, stapes fixation
Acoustic Neuroma	Vestibular schwannoma	Unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease	Meniere's Disease	Sudden hearing loss, autoimmune involvement

The table outlines differential diagnoses for hearing loss, including diseases, similar conditions, and distinguishing factors. It provides a concise overview to aid in identifying the underlying cause of hearing impairment.

 

Hearing Loss Diagnosis Tests Overview

Test Name	Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)	Speech Audiometry	Tympanometry Test
Also Known As	Audiogram	Speech Discrimination Test	Tympanogram
Purpose	Measures hearing sensitivity	Assesses speech perception	Evaluates middle ear function
Sample	Individual	Individual	Individual
Preparation	None	None	None
Procedure	Listening to pure tones & responding	Listening to and repeating spoken words	Measurement of middle ear compliance & pressure
Test Timing	15-30 minutes	15-30 minutes	A few minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-2000	500-2000	500-1500
Result Value	Hearing thresholds	Word recognition score	Tympanogram graph
Normal Value	Varies with age	Varies based on age	Varies based on age
Accuracy	Highly accurate	Reliable Results	Accurate Assessment
Interpretation	Determines type and degree of hearing loss	Evaluates impact of hearing loss on speech comprehension	Identifies middle ear abnormalities

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) measures hearing sensitivity, Speech Audiometry assesses speech perception, and Tympanometry evaluates middle ear function accurately. These tests provide valuable information for hearing loss diagnosis and interpretation.

 

Best Doctor for Hearing Loss

Specialist	Description
Otolaryngologist	Ear, nose, and throat expert
Audiologist	Hearing and balance specialist
Neurotologist	Specializes in ear and skull base disorders

The best specialist for hearing loss depends on individual needs, with options including otolaryngologists, audiologists, and neurotologists.

 

7 Interesting and Unknown Facts of Hearing Loss Diagnosis

1. Hearing loss can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud music.
2. Certain medications can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
3. Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable with proper ear protection.
4. Early hearing loss diagnosis of hearing loss can lead to better treatment outcomes.
5. Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, including infants and children.
6. Tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, is often associated with hearing loss.
7. Advances in technology have led to more accurate and efficient hearing loss diagnosis methods.

 

Conclusion

Hearing loss identified through comprehensive evaluation, including audiometry tests, medical history review, and physical examination. Prompt intervention recommended for optimal management and improved quality of life.

 

Reference

• Diagnosis of hearing loss - Wikipedia [1].
• Hearing Loss - StatPearls [2].
• Deafness and hearing loss - World Health Organization (WHO) [3].