SARTHAK HEARING CARE BLOG
Audiometry vs Tympanometry: What's the Difference Between These Hearing Tests?
When you're told you need a “hearing test”, there's often more than one kind of test involved. Audiometry and tympanometry are both common parts of a hearing evaluation, but they measure different things.
What Audiometry Measures
Audiometry is the test most people picture when they think of a hearing test – you listen for soft beeps and tones at different pitches and volumes, and the results are plotted on a chart called an audiogram to show how well you hear across different frequencies.
What Tympanometry Measures
Tympanometry is a quick, painless test that checks how your eardrum and middle ear are functioning, rather than how well you hear. It can help identify issues like fluid behind the eardrum or reduced eardrum movement, which audiometry alone doesn't show.
Why Both Tests Are Sometimes Used Together
Using both tests together can give a fuller picture – tympanometry can point to a middle-ear cause behind a hearing difficulty, while audiometry shows the actual hearing levels. An audiologist decides which tests are needed based on your symptoms and history.
What to Expect During These Tests
Both tests are non-invasive and usually completed within a single visit. Audiometry involves responding to sounds in a quiet testing booth, while tympanometry uses a small probe placed briefly at the entrance of the ear canal.
Book a Hearing Test in Delhi
If you're looking for a hearing test in Delhi that covers the right combination of tests for your situation, contact Sarthak Hearing Care to book an assessment with Dr. Murli Singh or Sarthak Nehra. Call: 9625554548 / 9891242568
RELATED SARTHAK HEARING CARE PAGES
Continue with the most relevant next step.
ANSWERS FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
Audiometry vs Tympanometry: What's the Difference Between These Hearing Tests? FAQs
Do I need both audiometry and tympanometry every time I get a hearing test?
Not necessarily. Your audiologist will decide which tests are appropriate based on your symptoms, history, and what they find during the examination.
Is tympanometry painful?
No, tympanometry is generally quick and painless. You may feel slight pressure for a few seconds as the test is carried out.
Can tympanometry tell me if I have hearing loss?
Not directly. Tympanometry checks middle-ear function, while audiometry is the test that measures your actual hearing levels.