• What is puretone audiometry?
  Puretone audiometry is a hearing test to determine the presence or absence of hearing loss. If hearing loss is present, the type and degree of hearing loss will be determined.

• How is it being performed?
  The test will be performed by a qualified Audiologist with the patient seated in a soundproof booth. The Audiologist will be seated outside the sound booth and perform the test using a calibrated audiometer. The tester will have a clear view of the patient through a glass window.

  This test comprises of two parts:
  • air-conduction thresholds test and
  • bone-conduction thresholds test.

For air-conduction test, the test signals are delivered through a pair of headphone or insert earphones. For bone conduction test, the test signals are delivered through a bone vibrator which conducts the sound directly to the inner ear. Test signals ranged from 250 Hz to 8 KHz and the patients are required to response by pressing a response button when he/she hears the test signals. The test will takes about 20 to 25 minutes and the results will provide ear-specific and frequency-specific information on the degree and type of hearing loss.

A comprehensive hearing test report indicating the type and degree of the hearing impairment will be given at the end of the assessment session.

Otoscopy:
Before any hearing test can be conducted, a visual inspection of the outer ear is necessary to check for any gross abnormalities that would prevent a proper testing or warrant consultation with an ENT Specialist.

The ear canals will be inspected using an otoscope e.g. to rule out the presence of impacted earwax which can affect the hearing test results. Patient with impacted earwax will be referred to see an ENT Specialist to have the wax removed prior to undertaking the hearing test.