Pure Tone Audiometry

Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the key hearing test used by our Hearing Experts to identify hearing threshold levels of an individual, enabling determination of the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss and thus providing a basis for diagnosis.

What is a pure tone audiometry test?

The pure tone audiometry test, also known as the puretone test, checks how well each ear detects low, mid and high-frequency tones. It is non-invasive and only needs a simple response, such as pressing a button or raising a hand. At Muskan Speech & Hearing Centre, audiologists use it as the first step in diagnosing hearing loss in both children and adults.
How is the pure tone audiometry procedure done?

• The person sits in a quiet, sound-treated room.
  
• Headphones or insert earphones are placed over the ears.
  
• Tones of varying pitch and loudness are played to one ear at a time.
  
• The person signals each time a tone is heard, even a faint one.
  
• A small bone oscillator placed behind the ear tests bone conduction.
  
• The audiologist records the softest audible levels, called thresholds, on the audiogram.
  

What do the results show?
Comparing air conduction and bone conduction results helps identify whether the hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural or mixed. Thresholds are then grouped as normal, mild, moderate, severe or profound.

When is a hearing test in Jalandhar advised?
A hearing test may be considered when someone:

• Often asks others to repeat themselves
  
• Finds it hard to follow speech in noisy places
  
• Notices ringing or buzzing in the ears
  
• Turns the TV volume higher than others do
  
• Is a child with delayed speech or inconsistent response to sound