Otology (Ear) Tests
- Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) >
- Capital & Coast DHB Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Services
Audiometry is the electronic testing of hearing ability. This can be done at any age (even in newborn babies) and is especially important in children if there is any suspicion of impaired hearing. There are different tests to suit different age groups.
Adults and children over 4 years of age will be seated in a special quiet room wearing earphones and will be asked to respond when you hear a noise through the earphones. These tests can measure your hearing levels as well as other aspects of hearing such as the ability to recognise speech against background noise.
Tympanometry uses sound and air pressure to check middle ear function. A small, soft probe is placed in your ear for a few seconds and a computer measures your ears response to sounds and pressure emitted through the probe. This test is often carried out in young children to assess for glue ear.
Several other more complex tests are available to assess other aspects of hearing and suitability of hearing aids.