Hearing test
A hearing test will measure a person’s right and left ears to check for hearing loss. The results will help you both decide if hearing aids could help.
Instruksi
Use the hearing test section of the assessment form and check the Grade of hearing loss table to find out if the person has any hearing loss.
Kiat
The following tips will make it easier to speak with someone who is hard of hearing:
- Speak clearly and slowly. Do not shout.
- Stand/sit in good lighting and face the person so they can see your face when you speak.
- Do not exaggerate your lip movements. This may make it harder for the person to follow what is being said.
- Try to keep background noise to a minimum as this makes it harder for a person to hear, even with hearing aids.
- If more than one person is in the room, speak one at a time, not all together. This makes it easier for the person to be included in conversations.
Pertanyaan
Masih ingat Malicka?
Malicka is 70 years old and hard of hearing.
During the hearing test she keeps asking the health worker to repeat what they are saying.
What could the health worker do to make it easier for Malicka?
Pilih dua jawaban.
If you selected c and d, you are correct!
Facing Malicka in good light while speaking clearly and slowly will make it easier for her to understand what you are saying.
Always do an ear health screen to check a person’s ears before a hearing test.
If a person has an ear health problem, it may make the hearing test result worse.
Treating the ear health problem first will give a more accurate hearing test result.
Carrying out a hearing test
When carrying out a hearing test with a person:
- Explain the hearing test
- Practice test response
- Carry out hearing test
- Calculate average hearing threshold
- Record result for each ear.
1. Explain the test
Explain that you will test the person’s hearing by measuring the quietest sound that they can hear (hearing threshold).
2. Practice test response
Explain:
- As soon as you hear the sound, press the response button or raise your hand
- Release the button or lower your hand as soon as you no longer hear the sound.
Practice with the person first at 1000 Hz and 40 dB:
- Ask the person to raise their hand when they hear a sound and lower their hand when the sound stops
- Repeat twice in each ear
- If the person cannot hear the practice sound, increase the loudness by 10 dB and repeat.
Instruksi
If the person does not pass the practice, do not continue to the hearing test. Refer to an ear and hearing professional.
Before starting the test, ask the person if they hear better in one ear.
- Start with the better hearing ear
- If they do not hear better in one ear, start with the right ear.
Pertanyaan
Masih ingat John?
John is hard of hearing. He visits his local health service for an ear health screen and hearing test.
The health worker asks John which is his better hearing ear? John is not sure.
Which ear should the health worker check first?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Jawaban yang benar adalah b.
John is not sure if he has a better hearing ear. Start with his right ear.
a, c and d are incorrect.
Starting with a better hearing ear (if known) may help a person feel more confident about the test process as it will be easier for them to hear the test sound.
3. Carry out hearing test
- Ask the person to put on the noise cancelling headphones. Check they are in the correct position.
- Start test on the person’s better hearing ear. If better hearing ear is not known start with their right ear.
- Set frequency dial at 1000 Hz and intensity at 40 dB.
Kiat
For more accurate testing:
- Position yourself so the person cannot see you presenting the sound
- Change the rhythm of how you present the sounds. This is to avoid the person guessing when you will present the next sound.
Higher frequency sounds of 1000 Hz are usually easier to hear and give a person confidence at the start of a hearing test.
- Press the button for 2 to 3 seconds and see if the person raises their hand:
- If the person raises their hand, reduce the intensity level by 10 dB
- If the person does not respond, increase the intensity level by 5 dB
- Continue until you find the quietest sound a person can hear:
- Repeat the sound three times to confirm hearing threshold
- If the person responds correctly at least two out of three times at the frequency tested, record threshold on form
- Repeat for testing at 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz and 500 Hz
- Repeat on the person’s left ear.
Instruksi
Watch this video of a hearing test being carried out using an audiometer app on a smartphone.
Pertanyaan
1. What is a suitable background noise level for a hearing test?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Less than 40 dB is correct!
The sound level should be less than 40 dB. Change the environment or location of the hearing test if the sound level is above 40 dB.
2. If a person does not respond to a sound during the hearing test. What should you do next?
Select and click to check answers.
Tidak tepat.
You should not reduce the intensity level as the person will still be unable to hear the sound.
Benar.
Increase by 5 dB and see if the person responds. If the person responds repeat the sound three times to confirm you have found their hearing threshold.
Tidak tepat.
Do not stop the test until you find the person’s hearing threshold.
Kiat
Do not release the button too quickly when presenting the test sound. It is important to allow 2 to 3 seconds for the person to hear the sound.
Kegiatan
In groups, take turns to be the tester and the person being tested.
Prepare:
- Identify a space and check sound level is suitable using a sound level meter or downloaded hearWHO app:
- Klik "Check your hearing" untuk mengakses fitur pengukur tingkat kebisingan
- Beri aplikasi izin yang diperlukan untuk mengukur kebisingan
- Set up the test in a way that the person being tested cannot see you.
Test:
- Explain the test
- Carry out the test at 1000, 2000, 4000 and 500 Hz on person’s better hearing ear or right ear
- When you reach the hearing threshold, repeat three times
- Confirm the person responds correctly two out of three times
- Record the quietest sound the person can hear
- Repeat on the other ear.
Test confidence
Consider how confident you are about the hearing test results.
You may have confidence if the person:
- Responds consistently to the presented sounds
- The hearing threshold for each frequency is identified.
You may have little or no confidence if the person:
- Randomly responds to presented sounds
- Responds even when no sound is presented
- Only responds when they see the tester move.
If you have:
- Good test confidence Continue.
- Poor test confidence Discuss with your mentor. Refer person to ear and hearing professional if needed.
Peringatan
Accurate test results are important for the correct programming of hearing aids.
4. Calculate average hearing threshold
- Get the average dB by adding threshold value of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz then divide by four
- Compare the threshold average of the right and left ear:
- Less than 15 dB difference Continue
- Difference of 15 dB or more Refer to ear and hearing professional.
Difference of 15 dB or more
People with one sided (unilateral) hearing loss and asymmetrical hearing loss are examples of people who have a difference of 15 dB or more between the average hearing threshold of right and left ears. Their needs are more complex. Refer to ear and hearing professional.
One sided (unilateral) hearing loss
One ear within normal hearing range and the other ear has mild to profound hearing loss.
Asymmetrical hearing loss
Different grades of hearing loss with more than 15 dB difference between right and left ear.
Pertanyaan
Masih ingat John?
John is retired and lives with his wife Mary.
John went to his local health service for an ear health screen and hearing test. He responded confidently during the test.
Look at his hearing thresholds for each frequency:
1. What is the correct average hearing threshold for John’s right ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
65 dB is correct!
It is the average of adding all the numbers and dividing by four.
2. What is the correct average hearing threshold for John’s left ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
70 dB is correct!
It is the average of adding all the numbers and dividing by four.
3. Does John have less than 15 dB difference between his right and left ears?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Jawaban yang tepat adalah "Ya".
The difference is less than 15 dB. The health worker can continue.
Check the Grade of hearing loss table below or on the assessment form.
| Grade | Average |
| Within normal range | Average of less than 20 dB |
| Mild hearing loss | Average of 20-34 dB |
| Moderate hearing loss | Average of 35-49 dB |
| Moderately severe hearing loss | Average of 50-64 dB |
| Severe hearing loss | Average of 65-79 dB |
| Penurunan pendengaran parah | Average of more than 80 dB |
4. What is the grade of hearing loss for John’s right ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Severe hearing loss is correct!
65 dB is in the severe hearing loss range.
5. What is the grade of hearing loss for John’s left ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Severe hearing loss is correct!
70 dB is in the severe hearing loss range.
5. Record result for each ear
- Write the average hearing values on the hearing test section of the form
- Record test confidence
- Record grade of hearing for right and left ear.
Follow the recommended action for the level of hearing loss found in the Grade of hearing loss table.
Masih ingat John?
The health worker refers to the Grade of hearing loss table.
John is an adult with severe hearing loss in both ears. The health worker can continue to provide him with hearing aids.
Pertanyaan
Masih ingat Malicka?
Look at the results of Malicka’s hearing test.
Calculate the average hearing loss for Malicka’s right and left ear.
1. Is the difference between Malicka’s right and left ear less than 15 dB?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Jawaban yang tepat adalah "Ya".
The health worker can continue.
Check the Grade of hearing loss table.
| Grade | Average |
| Within normal range | Average of less than 20 dB |
| Mild hearing loss | Average of 20-34 dB |
| Moderate hearing loss | Average of 35-49 dB |
| Moderately severe hearing loss | Average of 50-64 dB |
| Severe hearing loss | Average of 65-79 dB |
| Penurunan pendengaran parah | Average of more than 80 dB |
2. What is the grade of hearing loss for Malicka’s right ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Moderately severe hearing loss is correct!
The hearing threshold average on Malicka’s right ear is 50.00 dB. Moderately severe hearing loss is on average between 50–64 dB.
3. What is the grade of hearing loss for Malicka’s left ear?
Pilih satu jawaban.
Moderately severe hearing loss is correct!
The hearing threshold average on Malicka’s left ear is 51.25 dB. Moderately severe hearing loss is between 50–64 dB.
Explain test results
After completing the hearing test and identifying the grade of hearing loss, explain results and whether the person may benefit from hearing aids.
Masih ingat Malicka?
After Malicka’s hearing test, the health worker explains she has moderately severe hearing loss. This means Malicka may find it difficult to understand words even in quiet environments.
Using hearing aids may make it easier to communicate with her family, particularly in social activities.
Malicka confirms she would like to have an assessment to see if hearing aids would help.