What should you know about objective audiometry?

The clinician may use earphones or small probes to deliver sounds and record responses from the ear, middle ear or auditory pathway. Depending on the question, testing may include otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem responses, tympanometry or other measurements. These methods can be useful for babies, young children, people who cannot reliably respond to tones, or anyone whose first hearing test needs clarification.

The appointment is usually non-invasive. You may need to sit quietly while the equipment records signals. Earwax, middle-ear fluid, movement, electrical interference and background noise can affect a result, so the clinician interprets the trace alongside symptoms and an ear examination. Objective results do not by themselves explain every cause of hearing difficulty.

Follow the clinic’s instructions about feeding, sleep or medication if testing a child; some assessments work best when the child is calm or asleep. Bring details of hearing changes, ear infections, tinnitus, dizziness, noise exposure and medicines. Tell the team about hearing aids, cochlear implants or other devices before testing.

Keep still and relaxed during recording, and mention discomfort promptly. Ask which test is being used, what it can answer and whether a behavioural hearing test or ear examination is also needed. Earwax buildup can interfere with some assessments and may need management before repeat testing.

Arrange prompt medical review for sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear, or hearing loss with severe dizziness, facial weakness, severe headache or new neurological symptoms. Seek urgent help for a serious head injury or sudden severe symptoms. Do not wait for a routine audiometry appointment when hearing changes abruptly.

Which part of the hearing pathway are we assessing? Could earwax, fluid or infection affect the result? What follow-up is needed if the recorded response is outside the expected range, and should I see an audiologist or ear specialist?