Pure Tone Audiometry Test Procedure: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Hearing Health
Among the five senses, hearing plays an important role in communication, connectivity, and awareness of one’s surroundings. In fact, loss of hearing can occur so gradually that it becomes hard to realize or often goes completely unnoticed till an extra burden is felt in daily life. That is why regular tests in hearing are essential, and one of the most precise test tools for this purpose is Pure Tone Audiometry test. This article defines what is pure tone audiometry test, how the pure tone audiometry test procedure works, how to understand the pure tone audiometry results interpretation, and what can be expected before and after your analysis. If you are considering a pure tone audiometry test in Kolkata, this guide will provide you the assistance to understand the process better. What Is a Pure Tone Audiometry Test? A Pure Tone Audiometry Test (PTA) is a usual analytical procedure utilised to measure how well you are able to hear numerous frequencies and sound volumes. It gives assistance to recognise the level and nature of hearing loss — whether it’s minor, modest, or severe. During this assessment, you’ll wear headphones and listen to a range of tones at diverse pitches and noise levels. Every time you hear a sound, you reply by pressing a button or raising your hand. The pure tone audiometry test results are then plotted on a chart known as an audiogram, which visually signifies your ability of hearing. To put it simply, Pure Tone Audiometry identifies the least loud sound that is audible to you at every frequency — resulting in a thorough understanding of your hearing ability and assisting the audiologist in making a precise pure tone audiometry report. Step-by-Step: The Pure Tone Audiometry Test Procedure If this is your first time and you have never taken a hearing test, knowing about the Pure Tone Audiometry Test procedure can really help you out in reducing anxiety and also give you an idea of what to expect. This part of the article leads you through the whole process so that you feel confident during your test. 1. Pre-test Discussion and Ear Examination Before the test, the audiologist will: Review your medical and hearing history Ask about symptoms such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, or difficulty following conversations Inspect your ear canal with an otoscope to ensure there’s no blockage or infection This step ensures accurate pure tone audiometry test results. 2. Entering the Soundproof Booth The soundproofed room where the test is conducted completely removes outside noise. You will be asked to wear headphones or earphones with an audiometer connection — the device that produces the sounds for the test. 3. Air Conduction Testing This stage checks how sound travels through your outer and middle ear. In each ear, different frequencies in the order of low to high pitch are played one at a time. You will indicate by your reaction when you hear the sound, even if it is very faint. The audiologist records the lowest sound level you can detect for each frequency — this is called your hearing threshold. 4. Bone Conduction Testing If the air conduction test results show hearing loss, the audiologist goes ahead with the bone conduction test to clarify the matter. A tiny vibrator is placed discreetly behind your ear on the mastoid bone. The sounds do not go through the outer and middle ear; instead, they directly reach the inner ear. Comparing the air and bone conduction thresholds indicates whether the hearing loss is of the conductive, sensorineural, or mixed type. 5. Recording and Reviewing the Audiogram Your replies are charted on an audiogram, reflecting the softest sounds you can detect at diverse frequencies. This becomes your Pure Tone Audiometry report, which the audiologist uses to explain your health of hearing. Understanding Pure Tone Audiometry Results Interpretation Your Pure Tone Audiometry Test results are displayed on a graph — the audiogram. The X-axis shows the frequency (pitch) of sounds, from low to high. The Y-axis shows loudness (decibels). Symbols (O for right ear, X for left ear) indicate your hearing thresholds. Here’s a simplified look at how audiologists interpret the results: Hearing Level Decibel Range (dB HL) Interpretation Normal 0 – 25 dB Able to hear soft sounds clearly. Mild Loss 26 – 40 dB May struggle to follow soft speech or distant voices. Moderate 41 – 55 dB Harder to hear conversations in noisy surroundings. Moderately Severe 56 – 70 dB Need amplified sound or hearing aids Severe 71 – 90 dB Limited hearing even with raised voices. Profound 91 dB + May only perceive very loud or vibrational sounds. Key points in pure tone audiometry results interpretation: If both air and bone conduction outcomes showcases loss, it’s sensorineural (inner-ear issue). If only air conduction highlights loss, it’s conductive (outer/middle-ear issues). If both exist but with a gap, it’s mixed hearing loss. These explanations guide your audiologist in determining treatment or hearing aid suggestions. This is also where the pure tone audiometry test procedure aids creating a transparent profile of hearing. Why Pure Tone Audiometry Matters Hearing loss rapidly grows slowly, and early recognition can make a large difference. The Pure Tone Audiometry Test plays a crucial role in: Detecting hearing loss before signs become severe. Determining whether hearing loss is temporary or permanent. Evaluating how effectively you can hear across different frequencies. Helping tailor hearing aid programming for optimal clarity. Monitoring hearing health over time, especially for people exposed to loud environments. Regular hearing tests are recommended for: Adults over 40 years old. Individuals working in noisy industries. Children showing speech or learning delays. People experiencing tinnitus or ear infections frequently. Factors That May Influence Test Results A few factors can affect Pure Tone Audiometry Test results, including: Temporary ear infections or wax build-up. Background noise or improper headphone placement. Fatigue or inattention during testing. Calibration accuracy of the audiometer. Professional clinics use calibrated equipment and soundproof environments to ensure your Pure Tone Audiometry report
