Hearing Tests

Acoustic Reflex Test, Audiometry, Auditory Brainstem Evoked Potential (ABEP) Test, Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test, Pure Tone Audiometry, Rinne Test, Schwabach Test, Tuning Fork Test, Weber Test, Whispered Speech Test

What Affects the Test

Factors that can interfere with your test or the accuracy of the results include:

• Being unable to cooperate, follow directions, and understand speech well enough to respond during most tests. It may be difficult to conduct hearing tests on young children or on people who have physical or mental disabilities.
• Equipment problems, such as cracked or poorly fitting headphones or an uncalibrated audiometer, or background noise.
• Difficulty speaking or understanding the language of the tester.
• A recent cold or ear infection.
• Being around loud noises within 16 hours before the test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.