At The Listening Lab, we understand the importance of good hearing health for your overall quality of life. We offer professional and accurate hearing tests using the most advanced hearing testing technology in a highly equipped audiometry room to determine an individual's hearing levels.
Our consultants and audiologists in Malaysia are certified hearing care professionals with years of experience in working with clients to check ear problems, provide hearing tests, and improve their hearing. With convenient locations across Malaysia, you do not need to wonder where to do a hearing test—simply reach out to us for an audiometric test near you.
On this page, you will learn:
- What is a hearing test, and why is it important?
- Who should get a hearing test?
- Common signs you might need a hearing test
- Why early detection matters for hearing loss
- Types of hearing tests we offer
- Step-by-step process of a hearing test
- After the hearing test: next steps and follow-up care
What is a Hearing Test and Why is it Important?
A hearing test provides an evaluation of the sensitivity of a person's sense of hearing and is most often performed by a professional such as an audiologist or hearing consultant at a clinic. Hearing tests play a crucial role in identifying hearing impairments, ranging from mild difficulties to more significant hearing loss.
Regular hearing assessments are vital for early intervention, as they can detect subtle changes in your hearing that you may not even notice. Early detection allows for timely management and can prevent further deterioration, helping you maintain a good quality of life and overall well-being.
Who Should Get a Hearing Test?
While everyone can benefit from regular hearing tests and checkups, certain individuals may be more prone to hearing loss and require more frequent assessments.
Adults
As we age, our hearing naturally declines. Adults, especially those over 50, should have annual tests to monitor their hearing health. However, several risk factors can accelerate hearing loss:
- Ageing
- Prolonged exposure to loud noises (workplace, concerts, etc.)
- Genetics and family history of hearing loss
- Medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Ototoxic medications (medications that can damage hearing)
- Smoking
- Poor diet
If you notice that you often ask others to repeat themselves or frequently increase the volume on their devices, you should schedule a hearing test promptly.
Children
Children should have their hearing checked periodically to ensure proper development. Hearing impairment can significantly delay developmental milestones, with children affected possibly exhibiting inattentiveness, delayed speech and language skills, impacted social skills, or difficulty following directions.
The Listening Lab offers infant hearing screening tests to identify potential hearing problems early on. If your child exhibits inattentiveness, delayed speech development, or difficulty following directions, it's essential to schedule a hearing test for your child.
High-Risk Groups
Individuals working in noisy environments, such as construction sites or factories, are at a higher risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Musicians and those who frequently attend concerts or use personal audio devices at high volumes should also undergo regular hearing assessments to detect any early signs of hearing loss.
Other high-risk groups include individuals with:
- Frequent ear infections
- A history of head injuries
- Certain medical conditions that can affect hearing
Common Signs You Might Need a Hearing Test
Recognising the early signs is crucial for timely intervention. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's time to consider scheduling a hearing test at a centre near you. Early detection can significantly improve quality of life and prevent further hearing deterioration.
- Difficulty understanding speech or conversations: You may find it challenging to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments or when multiple people are speaking.
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves: You may often ask people to speak louder or repeat what they've said.
- Constantly increasing the volume on devices: You may find yourself turning up the volume on the TV, radio, or personal audio devices to levels that others find uncomfortable.
- Experiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ears): You may hear a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears, even when in quiet surroundings.
- Family history of hearing loss: If you have close relatives who have experienced hearing loss, you may be at a higher risk.
Why Early Detection Matters for Hearing Loss
By identifying and treating hearing loss early, you can enjoy a richer, more connected life while safeguarding your hearing health for the future.
Improved Quality of Life
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss helps maintain social connections, improve relationships, and boost overall well-being. When you can hear clearly, you can communicate more effectively, reducing misunderstandings and frustration. This leads to stronger relationships, reduced social isolation, and a greater sense of connection with the world around you.
Prevent Further Hearing Damage
Early intervention can also prevent further hearing damage. Using hearing aids or other assistive devices reduces the strain on your auditory system, helping to preserve your remaining hearing. This proactive approach can slow down the progression of hearing loss and protect your residual hearing.
Better Outcomes in Education and Workplace
Early treatment also facilitates better performance in educational and professional settings. Addressing hearing loss early ensures that children and adults can fully participate in academic and professional environments without facing unnecessary barriers. Clear communication is essential for learning, collaboration, and success.
Overall Health Benefits
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss not only improve communication and quality of life but also offer various overall health benefits. Research suggests that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and falls. By addressing hearing loss promptly, you can reduce these risks and maintain better cognitive function and physical well-being.
Types of Hearing Tests We Offer
There are many types of hearing tests. Tests such as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Paediatric VIsual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) are specialised hearing tests for infants and children. There are many other hearing tests which are used for adults, specific situations or specific people.
Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)?
The most common and accepted test to determine if a person requires hearing aids, is the Pure Tone Audiometric test (PTA). PTA is the primary hearing test used to identify hearing levels of an individual, so that the professional is able to determine the degree, type and configuration of a hearing loss. This result provides the basis for diagnosis and management. Other tests may come into play depending on the results of the PTA.
During a PTA, you'll wear headphones and listen to a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes. You'll be asked to indicate when you hear a tone, allowing the audiologist to determine your hearing thresholds for each frequency. This information helps create an audiogram, a visual representation of your hearing sensitivity.
The PTA is essential for diagnosing hearing loss and determining the degree and type of hearing loss you may have. It helps determine the most appropriate course of action, whether it's hearing aids, assistive devices, or other management strategies.
Speech Audiometry
In addition to pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry is often conducted to assess your ability to understand speech. This test involves listening to words or sentences at different volumes and repeating them back to the audiologist. Speech audiometry helps determine how well you can hear and understand speech in quiet and noisy environments.
This test is particularly helpful in identifying difficulties with speech clarity and comprehension, which can be indicative of certain types of hearing loss or auditory processing disorders.
Specialised Tests for Children
For infants and young, specialised tests are used to assess their hearing abilities. These tests are designed to be engaging and age-appropriate.
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA): This test uses visual rewards, such as animated toys or flashing lights, to condition the child to respond to sounds.
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): This test measures brainwave activity in response to sounds, providing information about the auditory pathways and the inner ear.
These specialised infant hearing screening tests and hearing tests for children help identify hearing loss in infants and young children, allowing for early intervention and support to ensure proper speech and language development.
Step-by-Step Process of a Hearing Test
Step 1: Case History and Consultation
The first step in a hearing test involves a detailed case history and consultation with the audiologist. During this initial assessment, the audiologist will gather information about your hearing concerns, medical history, and lifestyle habits. This information helps them understand your specific needs and tailor the hearing test accordingly.
Step 2: Otoscopy (Visual Ear Examination)
To attain an accurate PTA result, the first thing that must be done is to check the ear canal to look for obstructions by earwax or foreign objects that could affect the outcome of the test. Any obstruction could insulate sound and impact the accuracy of the test. Therefore a digital otoscopy has to be first done.
An otoscope is a device designed to do a visual check on the ear canal and eardrum. In The Listening Lab, we provide a Video Otoscope service, which allows both the hearing professional and the patient to see the inside of the ear canal on a screen. This visual inspection helps identify any obstructions, such as earwax buildup or foreign objects, that could affect the accuracy of the hearing test.
Step 3: Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
During the pure tone audiometry (PTA) test, you will sit in a soundproof booth and wear headphones. The audiologist will present tones at different frequencies and volumes, and you'll be asked to indicate when you hear them.
By analysing your responses, the audiologist can create an audiogram, a graph that illustrates your hearing sensitivity at different frequencies.
The PTA test helps identify the degree and type of hearing loss, such as conductive hearing loss (caused by problems in the outer or middle ear) or sensorineural hearing loss (caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve). This information is crucial for determining the most appropriate course of treatment.
Step 4: Speech Audiometry (if applicable)
In addition to the PTA, a speech audiometry test may be conducted to assess your ability to understand speech. This test involves listening to words or sentences at different volumes and repeating them back. Speech audiometry helps determine how well you can discriminate between different speech sounds and understand speech in various noise levels.
Step 5: Results and Diagnosis
Once the hearing tests are completed, the audiologist will review the results with you and explain the findings. They will discuss the degree and type of hearing loss, if any, and recommend appropriate treatment options. If hearing loss is detected, the audiologist may recommend hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or other rehabilitation strategies.
Feel free to visit our audiometric testing centre for hearing tests in Malaysia.
After the Hearing Test: Next Steps and Follow-Up Care
After your hearing test, the audiologist will discuss the results with you in detail. There are several possible outcomes:
- Normal Hearing: If your hearing test indicates normal hearing, the audiologist may recommend routine checkups to monitor your hearing health over time.
- Hearing Loss: If hearing loss is detected, the next step is to discuss available treatment options with your hearing professional. These may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices tailored to your specific needs. Your specialist will guide you in choosing the best solution to improve your hearing.
Follow-up care is essential to ensure optimal hearing health.
- Regular check-ups for device adjustments: If you're fitted with hearing aids or other devices, regular check-ups are essential for adjustments and fine-tuning to ensure optimal performance.
- Additional tests to monitor hearing health: The audiologist may recommend additional tests to monitor your hearing health over time and assess the effectiveness of any interventions.
- Maintenance tips for hearing aids or devices: Proper care and maintenance of your hearing aids or devices are crucial for their longevity and effectiveness. The audiologist will provide guidance on cleaning, storage, and troubleshooting.
At The Listening Lab, we believe in providing ongoing support to our patients. Our audiologists offer counselling and guidance to help you adjust to hearing loss and make any necessary lifestyle adjustments. We are committed to providing patient-focused care to help you transition to normalcy.
Book a Hearing Test in Malaysia Now!
Take the first step towards better hearing today. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss or simply want a routine check-up, our expert team is here to help. Our certified audiologists have years of experience in conducting comprehensive hearing tests using advanced audiometric equipment in our soundproof rooms.
With convenient locations across Malaysia, you can easily access our services and quality care for your hearing concerns. We are committed to providing ongoing support and follow-up services that explore how to get the best possible hearing outcomes.
Book your hearing test now and start your journey to improved hearing and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing Tests
What happens during a hearing test?
During a hearing test, a hearing professional will evaluate your ability to hear different sounds, pitches, and volumes. This typically involves listening to tones through headphones and responding when you hear them.
What is the difference between an audiometric test and a pure tone audiometry test?
An audiometric test in Malaysia encompasses various assessments to evaluate hearing ability, including speech recognition and word discrimination tests, in addition to tone detection. It provides a comprehensive understanding of an individual's hearing health.
Pure tone audiometry, a specific type of audiometric test, measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different pitches and volumes. This test focuses on detecting the faintest tones a person can hear at various frequencies, helping to identify the degree and type of hearing loss.
In short, while pure tone audiometry is a component of the broader audiometric test, the latter includes a range of evaluations for a detailed hearing assessment.
What is involved in a digital otoscope or video otoscope examination during a hearing test?
A digital otoscope or video otoscope examination in Malaysia involves using a specialised device to visually inspect the ear canal and eardrum. During this examination, a small camera attached to the otoscope projects magnified images onto a screen, allowing both the hearing professional and the patient to see the ear's interior in real-time.
This procedure helps identify any abnormalities, such as earwax buildup, infections, or structural issues, that might affect hearing. The clear, detailed visuals provided by the digital otoscope aid in accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning, ensuring comprehensive ear health assessment during the hearing test.
How can I schedule a hearing test appointment at your clinic in Malaysia?
We welcome all our customers to reach out to us via our contact page and make an appointment with our team. Our team will be in touch with you promptly to schedule a date and time, as well as how much your hearing test and further treatment may cost.
Can I get a hearing test if I have an ear infection or cold?
It’s best to wait until your ear infection or cold has cleared up before getting a hearing test, as these conditions can temporarily affect your hearing and lead to inaccurate results.
How long does a hearing test take?
The duration of a hearing test can vary depending on the type of test being performed and the individual's hearing health.
Typically, a comprehensive hearing test, including pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry, takes around 30 to 60 minutes. However, shorter hearing screenings are also available for quick assessments.
How often should adults get their hearing tested?
It's generally recommended to have a hearing test at least every two years, or whenever you experience any changes in your hearing.
Can hearing tests detect conditions other than hearing loss?
While hearing tests are primarily used to assess hearing loss, the hearing specialist may also use an otoscope to look for any abnormalities in the ear canal or eardrum, such as earwax buildup, infections, or foreign objects. These findings can help identify potential causes of hearing loss or other ear problems.
