What Is Audiometry Test And Where To Do It In Singapore?

Hearing loss is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It can affect people of all ages and can be caused by various factors such as aging, genetics, exposure to loud noises, and certain medical conditions. However, many people don't realize they have hearing loss until it has progressed significantly. This is where an audiometry test comes in.

What Is an Audiometry Test?

Audiometry test in Singapore is a hearing test that measures a person's ability to hear sounds of different frequencies and volumes. It is a non-invasive and painless test that helps diagnose hearing loss and determine the degree and type of hearing loss. The test is conducted by an audiologist or a hearing healthcare professional in a soundproof room using an audiometer.

During the test, the audiologist will ask you to wear headphones or earbuds and listen to a series of sounds at different frequencies and volumes. You will be asked to respond to the sounds by pressing a button or raising your hand. Based on your responses, the audiologist can determine the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies and plot them on an audiogram, which is a graph that shows your hearing thresholds.

Process of Audiometry Test

Step 1: Patient History

The first step in the audiometry test is taking a thorough patient history. The audiologist will ask questions about the patient's medical history, including any previous hearing problems or exposure to loud noise. They will also ask about any medications the patient may be taking that could affect hearing.

Step 2: Otoscopy

The next step in the audiometry test is an otoscopy. This involves examining the outer ear canal and eardrum using a lighted instrument called an otoscope. The purpose of this examination is to ensure that there are no physical obstructions or abnormalities that could interfere with the test results.

Step 3: Pure-Tone Audiometry

The main component of the audiometry test is pure-tone audiometry. During this test, the patient wears headphones and is asked to indicate when they hear different tones played at varying volumes. The audiologist will test each ear separately to determine the patient's threshold of hearing for different frequencies. This information is plotted on an audiogram, which is a graph that displays the patient's hearing ability at different frequencies.

Step 4: Speech Audiometry

In addition to pure-tone audiometry, the audiologist may also perform a speech audiometry test. This involves testing the patient's ability to hear and understand speech at different volumes. The patient will listen to words or sentences played through headphones and will be asked to repeat them back.

Step 5: Bone Conduction Testing

If the pure-tone audiometry results suggest that there may be a problem with the patient's inner ear, the audiologist may also perform bone conduction testing. This involves placing a small bone conduction device behind the ear to bypass the outer and middle ear and send sound directly to the inner ear. This helps to determine whether the problem is with the outer and middle ear or with the inner ear.

Step 6: Interpretation and Recommendations

Once all of the tests are complete, the audiologist will interpret the results and make recommendations for treatment if necessary. Treatment may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other interventions to improve hearing.

Where To Do Audiometry Test In Singapore?

If you're experiencing hearing problems, it's important to get an audiometry test done as soon as possible. Here are some places in Singapore where you can get an audiometry test done:

AcuMed Holdings Pte Ltd

1. AcuMed holdings Pte Ltd is one of the best clinic in Singapore, and it offers a wide range of healthcare services, including audiology services, medical screening in Singapore, etc. The Department of Otolaryngology provides hearing assessments and treatment for all types of hearing loss.

National University Hospital (NUH)

1. NUH is another major hospital in Singapore that offers audiology services. The Department of Otolaryngology provides hearing assessments, hearing aids, and cochlear implants for patients with hearing loss.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)

1. TTSH is a public hospital in Singapore that offers audiology services. The audiology clinic provides hearing assessments and hearing aids for patients with hearing loss.

The Hearing Specialist

1. The Hearing Specialist is a private audiology clinic in Singapore that provides comprehensive audiology services, including hearing assessments, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. The clinic has a team of experienced audiologists who can diagnose and treat all types of hearing loss.

Clariti Hearing Care

1. Clariti Hearing Care is a private hearing care provider in Singapore that offers hearing assessments, hearing aids, and other hearing care services. The clinic has a team of audiologists who are trained in the latest hearing technology and can provide personalized care for patients with hearing loss.

In conclusion, audiometry tests are a crucial diagnostic tool for people experiencing hearing loss. If you suspect that you have hearing problems, it's important to get an audiometry test done as soon as possible. There are many places in Singapore where you can get an audiometry test done, including public hospitals and private hearing care providers.