The process of hearing requires interaction between the ears and the brain. Hearing tests determine whether or not the two are working together, and if not, what exactly needs to be fixed.
Sound waves travel through the ear canal and into the eardrum. These waves move at a certain speed (frequency) and have a certain height (amplitude). Faster frequencies emit a higher pitch, and taller waves produce louder sounds. These characteristics translate to nerve impulses, which then are sent to the brain. This is the process of hearing.
There are many types of hearing tests that determine what kind of hearing deficiency a patient has. Different testing methods are used depending on the patient’s age, the doctor’s concerns and other factors.
A portion of the hearing test is speech testing. Instead of playing tones, the audiologist will play words at gradually softer levels of volume to find the threshold of which you are able to repeat them. The audiologist will then play words at one audible level of volume to determine your word recognition ability in an optimal listening environment.