What should you know about sds audiometry?

SDS audiometry refers to hearing assessment that measures how softly you hear different tones and how clearly you understand speech. During testing, you usually listen through headphones or inserts and respond when you hear a sound. The test is painless and helps show whether hearing changes affect one or both ears.

The results are plotted for different pitches and loudness levels. The pattern can suggest a problem involving the outer or middle ear, such as a blockage, or the inner ear and hearing nerve. Speech testing adds information about clarity, which is different from simply detecting a tone. Audiometry does not by itself identify every cause of hearing difficulty; an ear examination and symptom history may also be needed. Earwax Buildup and Meniere's Disease are examples of conditions that can be considered when hearing changes occur with other symptoms.

Tell the clinician about ringing, dizziness, ear pain, discharge, noise exposure and medicines that may affect hearing. Avoid unusually loud sound before the appointment if possible, because temporary noise effects can influence responses. Follow the instructions about removing hearing devices during parts of the test. Bring previous results so changes over time can be compared. Read more about the broader process on the Hearing Test page.

Get urgent medical advice for sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear, or hearing loss with severe vertigo, facial weakness, a severe headache or other neurological symptoms. Arrange an assessment for gradually worsening hearing, persistent ringing, recurrent dizziness, ear discharge or pain. A blocked feeling may come from wax, but inserting objects into the ear can push material deeper or injure the canal.

Ask which part of the hearing pathway the pattern suggests, whether wax or fluid needs treatment, and whether you need repeat testing. Ask how to protect your hearing at work or during leisure activities and whether communication aids could help in everyday settings.