Audiometric Evaluations - Hearing Tests

What Is a Hearing Test?

A hearing test, also called an audiometric evaluation, is a series of non-invasive assessments that measure how well you hear sounds across different frequencies and volumes. The results give our audiologists a detailed picture of your hearing health, including whether any hearing loss is present, how significant it is, and what type it is.

Hearing loss generally falls into three categories. Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and is the most common type in adults. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is blocked or reduced before it reaches the inner ear, often due to fluid, earwax, or structural issues. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both. Understanding which type you have is essential to determining the most appropriate treatment or management plan.

How Hearing Tests Are Done at Piedmont Ear, Nose, Throat and Related Allergy

Our hearing evaluations are conducted by licensed audiologists in a sound-treated environment. The process is straightforward, comfortable, and typically completed in one visit. Here is what the evaluation generally involves:

Pure Tone Audiometry

You'll wear headphones and respond to a series of tones played at different pitches and volumes. This maps your hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies and is the foundation of the audiogram, a visual chart that shows exactly where your hearing is strong and where it may have declined.

Speech Recognition Testing

Rather than tones, this portion uses spoken words to assess how well you can hear and understand speech at different volume levels. This is particularly useful for identifying real-world hearing challenges that pure tone testing alone may not fully capture.We conduct all of our speech testing in a controlled, quiet environment (wihtout background noise).

Bone Conduction Testing

A small device placed behind the ear sends sound vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. This helps our audiologists determine whether hearing loss is originating in the inner ear or somewhere earlier in the pathway.

Tympanometry

This test evaluates the function of the eardrum and middle ear by measuring how the eardrum responds to slight changes in air pressure. It helps identify issues such as fluid behind the eardrum, a perforated eardrum, or problems with the small bones of the middle ear.

After your evaluation, your audiologist will review the results with you in plain language, explain what they mean, and discuss any recommended next steps.

Who Should Get a Hearing Test in Atlanta?

Hearing evaluations aren't just for people who suspect a problem. They're a useful preventive tool for a wide range of patients.

You may benefit from a hearing loss test if you are experiencing any of the following:

Difficulty following conversations, particularly in background noise
Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
Ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Turning up the TV or phone volume beyond what others find comfortable
Trouble hearing clearly on phone calls

Beyond symptoms, routine hearing evaluations are also valuable for patients who work in high-noise environments, have a family history of hearing loss, are over the age of 50, or have recently experienced a change in hearing after illness or injury. Early detection gives you more options.

Hearing Test Results: Understanding Your Audiogram

The primary output of your hearing evaluation is an audiogram, a graph that plots your hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies. The results are measured in decibels and classified by degree:

Normal Hearing: 0 to 20 dB
Mild Hearing Loss: 21 to 40 dB
Moderate Hearing Loss: 41 to 55 dB
Moderately Severe Hearing Loss: 56 to 70 dB
Severe Hearing Loss: 71 to 90 dB
Profound Hearing Loss: 91 dB or more

Your audiologist will walk you through your results and explain what they mean in practical terms. If hearing loss is identified, we'll discuss options that may include hearing aids, further medical evaluation, or monitoring, depending on the type and degree of loss.

Hearing Loss Testing at Piedmont Ear, Nose, Throat and Related Allergy in Buckhead

One of the distinct advantages of coming to Piedmont ENT for your hearing evaluation is that our audiologists work alongside ENT physicians in the same practice. If your hearing test reveals a medical issue that requires further attention, you won't need a separate referral or a second appointment at a different office. We can coordinate your care directly.

Our Buckhead location serves patients throughout Atlanta, GA and the greater metro area, including Midtown, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Vinings. We accept most major insurance plans and can help verify your coverage before your visit.

Schedule a Hearing Test in Atlanta, GA

If you've been putting off a hearing evaluation, now is a good time to schedule one. Hearing loss is easier to manage when it's caught early, and the test itself is simple and painless.
Contact our Buckhead office today or book online to schedule your hearing test in Atlanta, GA.

Hearing Test FAQ

Our patients often have questions before their first evaluation. Here are honest answers to the ones we hear most often.

Do I need a hearing test?

If you've noticed any changes in your hearing, even subtle ones, a hearing evaluation is worth scheduling. It's also a good idea for anyone over 50, anyone working in a consistently loud environment, or anyone with a family history of hearing loss. Early testing gives you a clear baseline and more options if loss is identified.

What should I expect at a hearing test?

The evaluation is non-invasive and comfortable. You'll sit in a sound-treated booth, wear headphones, and respond to a series of tones and spoken words. There are no needles, no discomfort, and nothing to prepare for in advance. The full evaluation typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and your audiologist will review your results with you before you leave.

How long does a hearing test take?

Most hearing evaluations at our Atlanta office take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the scope of testing needed. This includes the evaluation itself and a review of your results with your audiologist.

How does a hearing test work?

Our audiologists use a series of assessments, including pure tone audiometry, speech recognition testing, bone conduction testing, and tympanometry, to build a complete picture of your hearing. Each test measures a different aspect of your auditory system, and together they produce an audiogram that maps your hearing across frequencies and volumes.

How do I get a hearing test?

Simply call our Buckhead office or schedule online. No referral is required for a hearing evaluation at Piedmont Ear, Nose, Throat and Related Allergy. We'll get you in, complete the testing, and review your results the same day.

Who is required to have an annual hearing test?

Employees in certain industries are required by OSHA to undergo annual hearing testing if they're exposed to noise levels at or above 85 decibels on a regular basis. This includes workers in manufacturing, construction, aviation, and other high-noise fields. Outside of occupational requirements, routine annual testing is recommended for adults over 60 and for anyone with existing hearing loss or ongoing noise exposure.

Are hearing tests covered by insurance?

Many insurance policies cover hearing evaluations, particularly when ordered for diagnostic purposes. At Piedmont Ear, Nose, Throat and Related Allergy, evaluations are completed alongside a medical visit, so they're typically covered.

However, coverage can still vary by plan, so we recommend checking with your provider. Our front office team is happy to help verify your benefits before your appointment so there are no surprises.

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Hearing Test in Atlanta, GA

A hearing test is the clearest, most straightforward way to understand what's happening with your hearing.