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Hearing Tests

Test Overview

A hearing (audiometric) test is part of an exam that tests how well a person is able to hear. It is done by measuring how well sound can reach the brain.

The sounds we hear start as vibrations in the air around us. The vibrations make sound waves, which vibrate at a certain speed (frequency) and have a certain height (amplitude). The vibration speed of a sound wave determines how high or low a sound is (pitch). The height of the sound wave determines how loud the sound is (volume).

Hearing happens when these sound waves travel through the ear and are turned into nerve impulses. These nerve impulses are sent to the brain, which "hears" them.

  • Sound waves enter the ear through the ear canal (external ear). Then they strike the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The eardrum is what separates the ear canal from the middle ear.
  • The sound waves make the eardrum vibrate. The vibrations move to the bones of the middle ear. This boosts the sound and sends it to the inner ear.
  • The inner ear is a fluid-filled, curved space that is sometimes called the labyrinth. It contains the cochlea, the main sensory organ of hearing. Sound vibrations cause the fluid in the inner ear to move. This bends tiny hair cells (cilia) in the cochlea. The movement of the hair cells creates nerve impulses. These nerve impulses then travel along the cochlear nerve to the brain and are heard as sound.

Hearing tests help find what kind of hearing loss you have. The tests measure how well you can hear sounds that reach the inner ear through the ear canal. They also measure sounds that are spread through the skull.

Some hearing tests ask you to respond to a series of tones or words. But there are some hearing tests that do not require a response.

Information about Hearing Tests

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Information about Hearing Tests

Adaptation Date: 02/26/2024

Adapted By: Alberta Health Services

Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services