Home hearing test

Ear audiometry (acumetry) is a method for determining hearing acuity, which evaluates the degree of sensitivity of the auditory analyzer to sound waves of various frequencies and intensities. Audiometric examinations are carried out using special electronic devices (audiometers). Compared to other methods for determining auditory sensitivity, acumetry allows you to dose the intensity of sound signals. Thus, it is possible to determine the threshold sensitivity of the auditory analyzer to sound vibrations of certain frequencies.

On an outpatient basis, audiometric testing is performed in soundproofed rooms. The test results have the form of a two-dimensional graph, which can be used to determine the degree of hearing impairment and the type of hearing loss (conductive or neurosermonic). If necessary, you can test your own hearing sensitivity yourself.

Features of the survey

Hearing diagnostics, which is carried out in the office of an audiologist and otolaryngologist, makes it possible to determine not only the fact of hearing loss, but also the type of pathology in the auditory analyzer. Using an audiometer, a specialist examines the threshold conductance of bone and air tones. Depending on the methods of recording auditory sensitivity and diagnostic methods, there are several types of audiometry:

• speech - the simplest and most accessible method for studying the threshold audibility, in which a specialist determines the degree of speech recognition at different levels of intensity (in decibels);
• tonal - an acoustic examination, during which the audibility of tones of various frequencies and intensities is determined;
• computer - one of the most reliable ways to determine the auditory sensitivity of a sound-conducting and sound-receiving system.

Speech and tone audiometry is one of the subjective methods of studying hearing acuity, since during testing, the specialist is guided by the testimony of the patient, who reports whether he hears the given signals (speech) or not. A computerized hearing test involves connecting special electrodes to the patient, recording activity in certain areas of the brain in the event that the auditory analyzer responds to signals from outside.

Speech audiometry

How to test your hearing at home? In the absence of special equipment that makes it possible to deliver and record sound signals of a certain intensity and frequency, the hearing organ can be tested using speech audiometry. This diagnostic method does not require medical equipment and additional devices. To determine the threshold of auditory sensitivity, the subject will need exclusively the speaking apparatus of the audiometer.

The test results largely depend not only on the state of the auditory analyzer, but also on the breadth of the subject's vocabulary.

To obtain a more objective assessment of the patient's hearing threshold, the audiometer should not pronounce individual words, but phrases consisting of a set of simple and understandable words. How should the test be done? It is advisable to carry out diagnostics in a room with a minimum amount of extraneous noise. In this case, the subject must sit in the middle of the room on a chair.

The actions of the audiometer should be as follows:

1. move 2-3 m away from the subject and say a phrase consisting of at least 7-9 words in a whisper;
2. at a distance of 6 m from the subject, say a set of separate phrases in a low voice;
3. say the phrase in a raised voice from a 20-meter distance.

During testing, the audiometer should always ask whether the subject hears speech from a certain distance or not. Thus, you can approximately find out whether there is a hearing impairment or not.

Interpretation of results

In the absence of disturbances in the operation of the sound-receiving and sound-conducting system, a person can hear whispering speech and the ticking of a clock, the intensity of which is in the range from 0 to 25 dB. When sound signals are perceived in this interval, there are no ear pathologies. When decoding the results of speech audiometry, the following nuances are taken into account:

• the inability to perceive whisper speech from a 2-meter distance may signal the development of 1 degree of hearing loss;
• the inability to distinguish words of average intensity from a 6-meter distance indicates the development of hearing loss of the 2nd degree;
• Difficulty comprehending high-intensity speech at a distance of 20 meters may indicate grade 2 or 3 hearing loss.

In case of disappointing results, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist. Based on the patient's testimony, he will conduct the necessary audiometric studies, during which he will be able to determine the hearing threshold and the type of hearing loss with high accuracy.

Today, speech audiometry is no longer used to test hearing acuity, but to select and adjust hearing aids during hearing aids.

Self check

How can I test my hearing on my own? If you wish, you can test your own hearing acuity without the help of strangers. To do this, experts suggest passing a simple test in which you must honestly answer (yes / no) to several questions:

1. do you hear the ticking of a clock or a whispering speech?
2. Do you often have problems with speech perception on the phone?
3. Do your friends and relatives complain about the constant questioning?
4. How often are you told that you are listening to a loud TV, audio player or radio?
5. can you hear the birds singing outside the window?
6. Can you make out whispered speech from a distance of 2 m?
7. don't you think that most of your interlocutors speak indistinctly?

If, after passing the test, the subject realizes that most of the answers do not speak in favor of normal hearing acuity, you should seek help from a specialist.

Important! With the development of infectious diseases associated with damage to the nasal mucosa, hearing acuity naturally decreases, which is due to blockage of the mouth of the Eustachian tube. When performing an audiometric test in this condition, the results will be unreliable.

Special applications

You can objectively assess the condition of the hearing organ using special applications for phones running on Android or iOS platforms. How to test your hearing? To do this, you must pass an audiometric test developed by practicing audiologist and otolaryngologists. Based on the test results, it is possible to determine the degree of hearing and the threshold of auditory sensitivity of the receptor cells.

Some of the simplest hearing test apps include:

• I. "Hörtest";
• II. Mimi Hearing Test;
• III. "UHear".

If you do not have a smartphone, you can take the test using a personal computer and ordinary headphones. From the graphs obtained, you can easily determine whether the hearing threshold is within the normal range or not.