Based on the provided reference, the two types of hearing tests are Pure-Tone Testing and Bone Conduction Testing.
Understanding Common Hearing Tests
Hearing tests are essential tools used by audiologists and other healthcare professionals to assess your ability to hear. They can help identify the presence, type, and severity of hearing loss. While there are various types of tests, two fundamental methods are commonly employed: pure-tone testing and bone conduction testing. These tests provide different insights into how sound travels through your ear and is processed.
Pure-Tone Testing
Pure-tone testing is a very common hearing test. It involves listening to sounds at different pitches (frequencies) and volumes (intensities) through headphones.
- What it measures: This test finds the quietest volume you can hear at each specific pitch.
- Who it's for: It is suitable for both children and adults.
- How it works: You typically respond when you hear a sound, usually by pressing a button or raising your hand. This creates an audiogram, a chart that maps your hearing sensitivity across different frequencies.
Bone Conduction Testing
Bone conduction testing is another crucial test that works alongside pure-tone testing. Instead of sending sound through the air into the ear canal, this test sends vibrations directly to the inner ear via a small device placed on the bone behind the ear or on the forehead.
- What it measures: This test primarily shows if there are issues with the tiny hair cells in your cochlea (the spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear) and assesses the function of the inner ear itself, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
- How it works: By comparing the results of air conduction (pure-tone testing) and bone conduction, an audiologist can determine whether hearing loss is conductive (problems in the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (problems in the inner ear or nerve pathways), or mixed.
Key Differences
Understanding the difference between these two tests helps pinpoint where a hearing issue might originate.
| Feature | Pure-Tone Testing (Air Conduction) | Bone Conduction Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Travel | Through outer ear, middle ear, to inner ear | Directly vibrates the bone to stimulate the inner ear |
| What it Tests | Overall hearing pathway (outer, middle, inner) | Primarily inner ear and nerve function (bypasses outer/middle) |
| Primary Goal | Find quietest sounds heard at different pitches | Assess inner ear function and identify type of hearing loss |
These tests are fundamental in diagnosing hearing health and guiding appropriate interventions, such as hearing aids or medical treatments.
