Adult Hearing Test

1. Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
   Hearing sensitivity or loss is quantified by using pure tones controlled by a dual-channel clinical audiometer and presented through earphones and a bone vibrator. Narrow-band masking noise is used when appropriate.
2.  I
mpedance Audiometry (IMP)
The middle ear and the acoustic reflex are assessed with a clinical electroacoustic bridge, which can activate the acoustic reflex with either contralateral or ipsilateral test tones. Eardrum mobility and middle ear pressure are evaluated ipsilaterally with tympanometry.
3. Otoacoustic Emission Test (OAE)
   Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are inaudible sounds emitted by the cochlea when the cochlea is stimulated by a sound. When sound stimulates the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate. The vibration produces an inaudible sound that echoes back into the middle ear. The sound can be measured with a small probe inserted into the ear canal. Persons with normal hearing produce emissions. Those with hearing loss greater than 25-30 dB do not.

Children Hearing Test

Sometimes children are given a more play-like activity (Conditioned Play Audiometry) to indicate response. They may be instructed to string a peg, drop a block in a bucket, or place a ring on a stick in response to hearing the sound. Infants and toddlers are observed for changes in their behavior such as sucking a pacifier, quieting, or searching for the sound and are rewarded for the correct response by getting to watch an animated toy (Visual Reinforcement Audiometry).