The Difference Between Hearing Tests and Screenings

A hearing aid test, also known as a comprehensive hearing evaluation, is a diagnostic assessment used to determine the type and degree of hearing loss and whether hearing aids would help improve your hearing.  A hearing aid test is conducted by an audiologist or hearing care professional in a controlled environment. [1]

This evaluation may include several components:

• Pure-tone audiometry. Measures the quietest sounds you can hear at different pitches.
• Speech audiometry. Assesses how well you understand speech at various volumes.
• Tympanometry. Tests middle ear function by measuring how your eardrum moves.

Once results are collected, a professional at Amplifon Hearing Health Care can guide you through the options, helping you find a personalized hearing aid solution that suits your lifestyle and level of hearing loss.

While there aren’t hearing tests available online, Amplifon Hearing Health Care offers a free online hearing quiz you can take from the comfort of home. As a reminder, this should never replace a full diagnostic exam by a licensed audiologist if you suspect hearing issues..

• Hearing screenings are commonly used for:
• Children in schools
• Adults during routine physicals
• Employees in noisy work environments
• Older adults at risk for age-related hearing loss

Amplifon Hearing Health Care provides hearing screenings through our network of providers, helping people catch potential issues early and take any necessary action. Request an Appointment to schedule your hearing evaluation today. 

Now that we’ve delved into a little bit of the differences between hearing screenings and hearing tests, let’s look at some ways these tests are used. Hearing health starts at birth. Newborn hearing screenings are critical for identifying hearing loss as early as possible, before it impacts language development, learning, and social interaction.

There are two main types of newborn screenings:

• Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR). Measures how the brain responds to sound.
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). Measures the inner ear's response to clicking sounds.

Both are painless, take only a few minutes, and are often done while the baby is sleeping.

Whether you’re a parent of a newborn, an adult experiencing changes in hearing, or simply looking to stay proactive, regular hearing evaluations are essential. Hearing loss is often a gradual process, and early detection can significantly impact outcomes.