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Contents
  • The Initial Screening
  • Tuning Fork Tests
  • The Gold Standard: Audiometry
  • Additional Tests

How Do Doctors Diagnose Age-Related Hearing Loss?

How Do Doctors Diagnose Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Unmasking the Silent Thief

Age-related hearing loss can sneak up on you, but doctors have several tools to diagnose it. Understanding these tests can help you know what to expect when getting your hearing checked.
Contents
  • The Initial Screening
  • Tuning Fork Tests
  • The Gold Standard: Audiometry
  • Additional Tests

The Initial Screening

Your doctor might start with a simple screening test called the whispered voice test. They'll stand behind you and whisper a series of words or numbers, asking you to repeat them. This quick test can give a general idea of whether you're having hearing difficulties. Another quick screening tool is a questionnaire like the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening, which asks about how hearing issues affect your daily life.

Tuning Fork Tests

Tuning forks are simple metal instruments that produce a specific tone when struck. Doctors use two main tests with tuning forks: the Weber test and the Rinne test. These can help determine if hearing loss is conductive (in the outer or middle ear) or sensorineural (in the inner ear or auditory nerve). Age-related hearing loss is typically sensorineural.
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a progressive condition characterized by a gradual loss of hearing in both ears, primarily affecting older adults.

The Gold Standard: Audiometry

For a detailed assessment of your hearing, you'll likely be referred for a formal audiogram. This test is performed in a soundproof booth where you wear headphones and respond to various tones. The audiologist will plot your ability to hear different frequencies and volumes on a graph. They'll also test your ability to understand speech at different volumes. This comprehensive test can diagnose presbycusis and determine its severity.

Additional Tests

In some cases, your doctor might recommend additional tests. These could include tympanometry to check your eardrum's movement or acoustic reflex testing to evaluate how certain ear muscles respond to sound. If there's concern about other underlying conditions, imaging tests like MRI or CT scans might be ordered, though these aren't typically needed for diagnosing age-related hearing loss alone.

FAQs

Is hearing testing painful?

No, hearing tests are painless and non-invasive.

How long does an audiogram take?

Typically about 30 minutes to an hour.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

Adults over 50 should consider testing every 3 years.

Can I test my hearing at home?

Some apps exist, but professional testing is more accurate.

Will my insurance cover hearing tests?

Many plans cover diagnostic hearing tests; check your policy.

Knowledge is Power

Understanding how hearing loss is diagnosed can help you take control of your auditory health.
Curious about your hearing health? Chat with Doctronic to learn more about hearing tests and whether you might benefit from one.
Additional References
  1. Yueh B, et al. Screening and management of adult hearing loss in primary care: clinical applications. JAMA 2003; 289:1986.
  2. Tsai Do BS, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170 Suppl 2:S1.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.