About Hearing Test Information You Need to Know

Health

A hearing test is an examination procedure to evaluate how well you can hear. This examination is important to do to detect early whether there is hearing loss.

Hearing tests are performed to detect possible hearing loss and ensure that the sense of hearing is functioning properly. In addition, hearing tests can also be done to determine the type of hearing loss and how severe the disturbance is.

Hearing tests need to be done regularly because hearing loss can develop gradually. In addition, hearing tests can also be performed on babies if a congenital ear defect is suspected, or if a hearing loss suddenly appears.

Who and When is a Hearing Test Needed?

Everyone is actually advised to undergo regular hearing tests. However, this test is especially recommended for:

  • Infants or toddlers, to check for hearing problems that can interfere with their ability to speak, communicate, and develop.
  • Children and adolescents, to detect possible hearing problems. Routine hearing tests in children can be done every 5 years.
  • People who feel their hearing is deteriorating, including the elderly and people who are frequently exposed to loud noises. In normal adults, routine hearing tests can be done every 10 years.

Hearing tests on babies should be done as early as possible, ie within a few days after the baby is born or no later than a month after birth. In children or adults, hearing tests need to be done when complaints or conditions arise as follows:

  • Congenital abnormalities or birth defects of the ear, such as: microtia and otosclerosis (abnormalities of the ossicles in the middle ear).
  • The child is late or has difficulty speaking and is not clear when speaking.
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
  • Hearing impaired, for example due to ear infections.
  • Symptoms of hearing loss in one or both ears, such as speaking too loudly, often asking the other person to repeat what they say, difficulty hearing conversations when the atmosphere is busy, and always watching television loudly.

Commonly Used Types of Hearing Test

Hearing tests can be done by an ENT specialist and audiologist. To evaluate the function of the sense of hearing and detect whether there is a hearing loss. There are several hearing tests that are commonly performed, namely:

1. Whisper test

2. Speech perception test

This test is used to find out how well you hear and understand simple conversations. You will be asked to wear headphones, then listen to the sentence and repeat the sentence.

3. Pure tone audiometry (pure tone audiometry)

This hearing test is similar to speech perception test. However, the sound produced is not in the form of sentences, but different sounds.

In this hearing test, the patient will be paired headphones then doctor or audiologist will ask the patient to press the available button if the patient hears a sound or voice from the headphones the.

4. Tuning fork test

5. Evaluate brainstem responses (brainstem response evaluation)

This examination is done by placing electrodes into the ear canal and the surface of the patient's scalp. The electrodes will measure electrical activity in the brain when it responds to sounds sent through the brain earphones. This test can detect whether there is sensorineural hearing loss or deafness.

6. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

7. Tympanometry

Tympanometry is used to examine the middle ear, which consists of the eardrum and the three ossicles that connect the eardrum and the inner ear, where the auditory nerve is located.

Tympanometry is done by placing a small instrument into the ear to check for problems with the eardrum, such as a leaking eardrum and whether there is a buildup of fluid or earwax around the eardrum.

If you experience hearing loss, it is advisable to immediately consult an ENT specialist at a hospital or clinic that has facilities to perform a hearing test.

From the results of the hearing test, the doctor will determine whether your hearing function is normal or problematic. If there is hearing loss, the doctor will recommend appropriate treatment according to the cause and severity, ranging from the use of hearing aids to cochlear implant surgery.