What is a hearing test?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Van Thai - Ear - Nose - Throat Doctor - Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.
A hearing test is used to measure how sensitive a patient's hearing is compared to normal. Indicated for cases of hearing loss, sudden deafness, or ear diseases, ...

1. Hearing test

The hearing test is a measure of how sensitive a patient's hearing is compared to normal. The results are presented in a chart called an audiogram.
Audiogram showing details of the person's hearing ability at each survey frequency. Anyone can have an audiogram to know their current hearing. The hearing levels of each person have ranges from normal, light, moderate, medium heavy, heavy and deep, corresponding to the following frequencies:
Normal : hearing threshold results <25dB Mild level: hearing threshold is in the range of 25-40 dB, hearing is being reduced to a slight extent. People with mild hearing loss begin to hear louder than those around them. Moderate level: The hearing threshold is in the range of 40 - 60 dB. Your hearing is decreasing at an average level. Patients often do not hear small, whispering signals such as the sound of the fan, the murmur of water, the singing of birds, etc. like normal people. People with moderate hearing loss often have difficulty hearing and sometimes they speak a little loudly, the TV they are watching is always open, affecting those around them. Severe level: Hearing threshold is in the range of 60 - 90 dB, your hearing is severely reduced. It is difficult to hear speech clearly. Almost nothing can be heard in group meetings or in crowds. Patients can only recognize loud warning signals such as barking dogs, landline phones,... Depth level : Hearing threshold >90dB hearing ability is in serious condition and is at the level of hearing loss. depth force. Words are barely heard anymore. Patients can only perceive very loud noises such as concrete drilling, airplanes, train whistles, etc.

2. Indications and contraindications

2.1 Indication Indication of hearing examination for people with the following symptoms:
Diagnosis of hearing loss, hearing loss Diagnosis of sudden deafness Middle ear or other ear diseases Prepare to use hearing aids Check effectiveness hearing aid results 2.2 Contraindications There are no contraindications for hearing screening. Anyone can have a hearing test to know their hearing level. However, a hearing examination will not be conducted for those who do not cooperate with the procedure.

3. Audiometrics

3.1 Airway monophonic audiometry Airway conduction is the passage of sound waves from the air along the ossicle chains into the inner ear fluid. The purpose of airway monophonic audiometry is to determine the hearing threshold and level of hearing loss, from which there will be a treatment method and selection of the appropriate hearing aid line, meeting the hearing needs.

3.2 Skeletal monophonic audiometry is the vibration on the cranial system due to acoustic stimulation not through the outer and middle ear, but directly on the inner ear fluid.
Skeletal monophonic audiometry to determine whether the hearing loss is conductive, receptive or mixed, this measurement also aids in more accurate hearing aid calibration such as:
Conductive hearing loss : causes from the outer or middle ear system Hearing loss: the cause comes from the inner ear system Mixed hearing loss: the cause comes from both the outer, middle and inner ear systems. 3.3 Other Measurements Bilateral atrial fibrillation: is a test to check the patency, pressure, slope and volume of the ear canal to determine the condition of the middle ear system. Helps to assess the sensitivity and activity of the ossicles. Check the patency of the eustachian tube and assess the condition of the tympanic membrane. Cochlear sound measurement: also known as hearing screening is a measurement commonly used in newborns, to help determine if the cochlear system is injured. damage or not. Measurement of ABR: also called auditory brainstem electrostimulation measurement is an objective measurement for children under 2 years of age or those who cannot cooperate with subjective measurements.

4. Hearing Examination Procedure

4.1 Preparation The meter and specialized equipment required include:
Audiometer with enough electrical wires, signal cables System of sounding earcups, microphone, free-field loudspeaker, microphone System Computer system, printer Check the function of soundproof room, lights. Paper and pen For the patient, the doctor will inform and explain to the patient the necessary things that need to be measured. Patients will be seated in a soundproof room, coordinate when taking measurements and be guided to use the hand-held button. prior to. Remove hearing aids, devices that interfere when installing the measuring device. Placement of the airway headset: Blue on the left and red on the left and right. Start measuring with frequency 1000k/40Db; 2000k, 4000k, 8000k, 250k, 500k respectively. Check the measurement frequency again 1000k, 2000k Bone measurement:
Instruct the patient to continue the measurement process. Mount the transducer on the mastoid plane. Start measuring with frequency 1000k/hearing threshold of airways, 2000k, 4000k, 500k. Check frequency measurement 1000k, 2000k. Remove the probes and print the results. Then transfer the data to a computer that prints the measurement results and deletes the old data and transfers it to the new patient.
In summary, hearing examination is a measure used to measure the patient's sensitivity to hearing compared to normal. Indicated for cases of hearing loss, sudden deafness, or ear diseases,... In addition, anyone can have an audiometer to know their current hearing.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. The hospital is equipped with a modern machine and audiometric chamber, ensuring high accuracy. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results. Patients need to contact the call center for consultation and treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.