Audiometry

Audiometry is a painless hearing test that measures how well you can detect sounds at different volumes and pitches.

During the test, sounds are played through headphones at varying levels. You respond each time you hear a tone. The results are plotted on a chart called an audiogram (a graph that shows the softest sounds you can hear). This tells the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist exactly which pitches and volumes are difficult for you, and whether the problem lies in the outer ear, the middle ear, or the inner ear — helping them pinpoint the type and degree of any hearing loss.

Audiometry is ordered whenever a doctor needs an accurate picture of a person's hearing ability. It is used both to detect a problem for the first time and to monitor a known condition over time.

• Gradual or sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
• Tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ear with no outside source)
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Frequent ear infections or a history of ear infections in childhood
• Vertigo (dizziness caused by an inner-ear problem) that may be linked to hearing changes
• Noise-induced hearing loss — for example, after prolonged exposure to loud machinery or music
• Screening for workers in noisy environments
• Routine hearing check in older adults
• Monitoring the effect of medications that can damage hearing (ototoxic drugs)
• Evaluation before fitting a hearing aid or considering cochlear implant (a surgically placed device that stimulates the hearing nerve) surgery

Because audiometry is a non-invasive test with no radiation, there are very few situations in which it cannot be performed. However, it may be difficult for very young children, people who cannot follow simple instructions, or people with certain physical conditions affecting the ear canal. In these cases, the ENT specialist will choose a different form of hearing assessment.

Audiometry is a purely diagnostic, non-invasive test — no instruments enter the body and no radiation is used. It carries no meaningful medical risk.

• Mild discomfort from wearing headphones for the duration of the test — this passes immediately after the test ends
• Slight fatigue from concentrating, particularly in longer test sessions
• Anxiety about results — this is common and worth discussing with the ENT specialist before or after the test

Audiometry requires almost no special preparation, but a few simple steps help ensure the results are accurate.

Before the test, you do not need to fast or stop any medications. However, let your doctor know about any ear infections, earache, or blocked ears you have at the moment, because active infection can affect results and the test may be rescheduled. Avoid exposure to very loud sounds — such as a concert or power tools — for at least 16 hours before the appointment, as temporary noise exposure can temporarily reduce your hearing sensitivity. Earwax (cerumen) build-up can also block the ear canal and distort results; your doctor may examine and clear the ears first if needed.

Before the test begins, the audiologist (a specialist in hearing assessment) will usually look into your ear canal with a small torch-like instrument called an otoscope (a device used to inspect the ear canal and eardrum). In some settings, an additional test called tympanometry (a quick test that checks how well the eardrum moves) is done alongside audiometry to give more information about the middle ear.

The test itself typically follows these steps:

• You sit in a quiet room or a soundproof booth
• The audiologist fits headphones over your ears, or small earphones inside the ear canal
• Tones of different pitches and volumes are played, one at a time, into each ear separately
• You signal — usually by pressing a button or raising a hand — each time you hear a sound, even if it is very faint
• The audiologist may also place a small vibrating device behind your ear to test the inner ear directly — this is called bone conduction testing
• In some cases, you may be asked to repeat words or simple phrases to assess speech understanding
• The results are recorded on an audiogram and reviewed with you, usually on the same day

Because audiometry is a non-invasive test, there is no physical recovery period. You can eat, drink, drive, and return to your normal activities immediately after leaving the clinic. The focus of aftercare is understanding your results and following up appropriately.

• Your ENT specialist will explain your audiogram results and what they mean for your hearing
• If hearing loss is confirmed, follow-up appointments will be arranged to discuss options such as a hearing aid fitting, further specialist tests, or referral for treatment of any underlying cause
• If the test was done to monitor a known condition — for example, to track changes over time or check the effect of medication — your doctor will advise how often repeat testing is needed
• If you were tested for work-related noise exposure, your occupational health team may use the results to guide workplace safety measures
• There are no wound-care instructions, dietary restrictions, or activity limits after audiometry
• If your ears feel temporarily muffled after the test, this is usually due to the headphones and settles within a short time — let the clinic know if this persists