What should you know about hearing acuity test?

During a standard hearing assessment, you usually wear headphones or insert earphones and respond whenever you hear a tone, even when it is very quiet. The clinician records the softest sounds detected at several pitches for each ear. Speech testing may explore how clearly you hear words, while an examination of the ear can look for blockage or inflammation. A result can suggest a problem in the outer or middle ear, the inner ear or the hearing nerve. [Earwax Buildup](/conditions/earwax-buildup/) can affect hearing, and fluctuating hearing with vertigo or ear noise may need consideration of [Meniere's Disease](/conditions/menieres-disease/).

Bring information about when the change began, whether one ear is affected, exposure to loud sound, ear infections and medicines. Tell the tester if you are unsure whether a sound was heard; guessing consistently is better than waiting for certainty. Avoid inserting cotton buds or other objects into the ear before assessment. Take the report to the clinician who requested it, because the pattern matters more than one isolated response. A full [Hearing Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/hearing-test/) may include additional measurements.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear, or hearing change with severe dizziness, facial weakness, injury or neurological symptoms. Seek urgent help for severe headache, confusion or weakness affecting one side. Book a routine review for gradually worsening hearing, persistent ringing, ear discharge or repeated difficulty following conversations.

Does my result show conductive or inner-ear hearing loss? Do I need speech testing, repeat testing or referral? Could wax, infection, noise exposure or medicine be contributing?