How to Perform a Whisper Test?

A whisper test is a simple hearing screening used to quickly assess a person's ability to hear faint sounds. Here's how to perform one:

Steps for Conducting a Whisper Test:

Position the Patient: Have the person sit or stand with one ear facing you. Instruct them to cover their other ear with their hand and gently move the tragus (the small cartilage flap in front of the ear canal) to block the ear canal.
Stand Behind the Patient: Position yourself approximately 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) behind the person, so they cannot see your lips move. This prevents them from lip-reading.
Exhale and Whisper: Gently exhale a breath to minimize your voice volume and then whisper a combination of three numbers and letters (e.g., "8-3-K"). Use a random combination each time.
Ask the Patient to Repeat: Ask the person to repeat the sequence you whispered.
Record the Results: Note whether the person correctly identified the sequence.
Repeat for the Other Ear: Repeat the process for the other ear.

Pass: If the person correctly repeats the sequence in both ears, their hearing is likely within normal limits for the purposes of this screening.
Fail: If the person fails to repeat the sequence correctly in one or both ears, further hearing evaluation by an audiologist is recommended. This test is not a substitute for a comprehensive audiological exam.

Environment: Conduct the test in a quiet room to minimize background noise.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent whisper volume and distance from the person's ear for each trial.
Variations: Use different number/letter combinations for each ear and repeat the test more than once per ear if needed to increase accuracy.