How do you test for hearing loss?

A variety of tests are used to diagnose hearing problems. These include:

• Audiograms – Used to measure how well a person hears. This test is performed in a sound-proof room using an audiometer and earphones.
• Tympanometry – Assesses the status of the eardrum and middle ear.
• Otoacoustic emission testing (OAE) – Provides a measure of cochlear (inner ear) hair cell function.
• Auditory Brainstem Response or Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Response (BAER) – A useful clinical tool to help detect, localize and monitor auditory and neurotologic problems as well as estimate hearing in pediatric or difficult to test patients.