What should you know about pure tone audiometry?

You usually sit in a quiet booth or room and wear headphones. Tones are played one at a time, and you signal whenever you hear one. The clinician plots your responses on an audiogram for each ear. The pattern can show whether hearing is reduced at certain pitches, across many pitches, or differently between the ears. The test measures hearing sensitivity; it does not by itself identify the cause.

Tell the audiologist about recent loud-noise exposure, ear pain, drainage, ringing, dizziness, or difficulty understanding speech. Avoid loud sound before testing if your clinician advises it. Answer only when you genuinely hear a tone, because guessing can distort the pattern. Follow-up may include an ear examination, speech testing, or referral when the result does not match your everyday experience.

Arrange prompt assessment for sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in one ear with severe dizziness, or hearing change after a head injury. Seek urgent help for severe vertigo with weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, or a severe new headache. Ear blockage and wax can also affect hearing and may need examination.

Ask which pitches were affected, whether the pattern suggests a conductive or inner-ear problem, whether wax or an ear infection could contribute, and when your hearing should be checked again.